The Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) has started a fact-finding inquiry into the Manila Bay rehabilitation project that recently drew environmental and health concerns from some groups.
According to PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica, they have asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to submit relevant documents about the project to rehabilitate Manila Bay.
"Maraming mga bali-balita diyan na hindi naman na-ve-verify pa and sinimulan po namin ang pagtatanong at pag-aalam (There are many reports that have not been verified and we have started the inquiry)," he said during an online press briefing organized by the Presidential Communications Operations Office-Office of the Global Media and Public Affairs.
"Pinakukuha namin 'yung mga dokumento at paliwanag ng mga nag-implement nito DPWH, DENR. Kasi 'yung pera kasi diyan, 'yung project is DENR but implemented by DPWH. So tinitingnan namin lahat yan and right now, hindi pa tapos ang aming fact finding (We have asked for the documents as well as the explanation from those implementing the project -- the DPWH and DENR. Because the funds, the project is DENR but implemented by the DPWH. So we are looking into everything and right now, we are not finished with our fact-finding)," he said.
Belgica said they would look into the Manila Bay project implementation before deciding on whether or not to pursue a formal investigation.
"We will do our homework and look into it one by one bago kami magbigay ng final na komento recommendation na iimbestigahan (before we give a final comment, recommendation to investigate)," he added.
The cleanup and rehabilitation project of Manila Bay became subject to public scrutiny after authorities poured crushed dolomite rocks to transform the polluted stretch of shoreline into a white sand beach.
Some environmental advocates have questioned the overlaying of the artificial white sand over the Manila Bay shoreline, which they claimed focused on aesthetics instead of addressing the environmental problems.
Recently, marine scientists from the University of the Philippines said the use of crushed dolomite would not resolve the environmental problems in Manila Bay, adding it was just a costly and temporary beautification effort. They said the dolomite sand would wash away into the bay during heavy rainfall.
The local scientists instead proposed to authorities to address poor water quality and prevent erosion through wastewater treatment plants, proper garbage proposal, and transfer of informal settlers living in riverbanks, among others.