Malacañang has asked the Manila Police to make sure that visitors of the newly-rehabilitated Manila Bay would observe basic health protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after law enforcers failed to implement social distancing when people, mostly supporters of the President, flocked to Roxas Boulevard for the opening of the artificial white sand beach along the Manila Bay and ignored health protocols.
In his Monday presser, Roque reminded the public to always keep their distance from one another and asked the police to do their part in making sure that protocols are observed.
"Ang panawagan lang namin sa taumbayan, the surest way po para kayo ay magkaroon ng COVID, 'wag kayong mag-social distancing (Our call to the public is this: The surest way to get COVID-19 is to ignore social distancing measures)," he said.
"Kaya nga po nananawagan din kami sa kapulisan na sana po ipatupad natin ang social distancing (That's why we are calling on the police to please enforce social distancing)," he added.
The Manila Police District (MPD) has sacked Ermita police chief Lt. Col. Ariel Caramoan over the incident. The MPD said it will investigate whether Caramoan had "lapses in judgement" in securing the opening of what is now dubbed as the "Manila Bay Sands."
Roque, meanwhile, said the people's desire to see the new artificial beach proved that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the local government of the City of Manila made the right decision.
"'Yan naman po ay nagpapatunay na tama ang desisyon ng DENR at ang siyudad ng Maynila na lalo pang pagandahin ang Manila Bay (It only proves that the DENR and the City of Manila made the right decision to rehabilitate Manila Bay)," he said.
Suggestions
To ensure that physical distancing measures are observed, Roque suggested to limit the time that visitors will spend in the 7,000-square kilometer urban beach.
"It can accommodate 50 people at one time. At para naman po mapagbigyan ang lahat, kung pwede po, five minutes per group lang diyan (So that everyone can have the chance, maybe we can limit each group to just five minutes on the beach)," he said.
"Sapat na po 'yan para singhutin ang hangin at tsaka mag-picture-picture, mag-selfie-selfie.' Wag na kayong mag-bathing suit diyan dahil baka lalong matagalan ang mga tao diyan (I think that's enough so you can take photos. Do not wear bathing suits there because that may just cause delays)," he added.
Despite criticisms about the project, Malacañang defended the white-sand beach at Manila Bay, saying it will help improve the mental health of the public amid the pandemic.
Roque likewise said that the white sand will boost Manila Bay's popularity.
"I think, yung pagpapasyal sa mga lugar kagaya ng Manila Bay, hindi mo maka-quantify ang epekto niyan pagdating po sa mental health ng ating mga kababayan--yung kapayapaan ng pag-iisip (I think going to places like Manila Bay, you can't quantify its effect on our mental health--the peace that it brings in our minds)," Roque said earlier this month.
"Right now, Manila Bay is known for its sunset, probably the best sunset in the world. With the white beach there, it will be one of the most picturesque sceneries in the whole world," he added
Roque had debunked the argument raised by some that the funds for the project could have been used for the government's COVID-19 response. Netizens have pointed out that President Duterte kept on saying that the government was running out of funds already.
The use of crushed dolomite has also been the center of debate whether it was harmful to humans or not.