Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso does not see anything wrong with the recent dumping of another batch of crushed dolomite rocks on the coast of Manila Bay amid the pandemic.
Domagoso said the city government was not informed of the recent dumping activity done by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
However, he said, the government must continue working on its other projects for development while addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Life must go on, things must be the way we wanted it," he said in an interview with CNN Philippines on Thursday (April 15).
"We must continue to move on and the country must move on because, economically, we're hurt," he added. "All other things in the government, including visions, aspirations, and future development for short term and long term must be done simultaneously while we are fighting against the pandemic."
Netizens and lawmakers have criticized the DENR's P389-million project to improve Manila Bay's appearance, saying that it can be harmful to the environment and to humans.
They said the synthetic white sand may just be washed away during storms and high tide.
The DENR said the dolomite material is bigger than dust so it cannot be inhaled and does not pose a hazard to health. Measures are also in place to ensure that the crushed dolomite rocks are not washed away, it said.
Domagoso has supported the project since it was first announced.