An environmental group is up in arms over the alleged expansion of the infamous "dolomite beach" in Manila, which was discovered just days before the celebration of Earth Day on April 22.
"It is alarming that the artificial beach is now near the Manila Yacht Club," the group Nilad said in a statement Sunday, April 18.
It said that last year, the dolomite beach was only limited to a small portion in front of the Roxas Boulevard baywalk of Manila Bay near the United States (US) embassy. However, photos sent by concerned Manila residents show that the dolomite dumping has continued despite the public outcry.
The photos were shared during a webinar organized by Nilad, Earth Island Institute PH, Manila-based volunteers, and residents.
"This year’s Earth Day theme is ‘Restore our Earth’ but ‘Replenish Dolomite’ seems to be the priority of the Duterte government. It is not only a dirty and destructive project, but a waste of money which should have been used in the government’s pandemic response," Nilad said.
White-colored dolomite sand is being used for the proposed artificial beach in Manila Bay's Baywalk area under a P389-million rehabilitation program. So controversial was the use of the sand that it triggered an investigation by Congress.
Of the amount, some P28 million was spent to acquire and transport the dolomite from Cebu, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Usec. Jonas Leones told solons during one of the hearings.
The DENR has been mum so far regarding the latest dolomite dumping.
The green groups also expressed worries over the return of the alleged coal stockpile in Tondo, also in Manila.
"We are alarmed that the coal stockpile which was already removed in 2015 after it was opposed by Tondo residents is now back. We ask authorities to look into this issue since the coal dumping is exacerbating the suffering of residents who are already barely surviving the pandemic," Nilad said.
"We ask netizens and environment advocates to join Tondo residents in rejecting the dolomite beach expansion and the return of coal stockpile," it added.
It further reckoned that Earth Day in Manila would be "rendered meaningless" if projects that end up harming Manila Bay are continued.
"We laud young Baseco (Tondo) volunteers who conducted a clean-up drive which proves that there is a feasible alternative to restore Manila Bay instead of dumping dolomite and coal," the green group said.