The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will remain lenient in terms of accommodating visitors in the Dolomite beach despite prohibition on non-essential activities of minors outside their houses.
DENR Usec. Jonas Leones on Monday, Oct. 25, said everybody is welcome to go to the newly-opened Dolomite beach in the Manila Bay regardless of age or vaccination status.
This came as more people, including children, were observed in the Dolomite beach on the second week since it reopened to the public.
"Ito ang isang dahilan why yung mga tao nagpunta doon. Wala kaming requirements. Kahit na sino pwedeng pumasok doon, wala po kaming sisingilin. Ito pong ating proyekto, para po talaga sa ating mga kababayan (That's one of the reasons why people go there. We don't have any requirement. Everybody can go. We don't ask for any fee, as this is a project that's for our countrymen)," Leones said in a CNN Philippines interview, adding that many people may also be curious about the Dolomite beach that is why they go.
On Thursday last week, both Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos and Malacanang spokesman Harry Roque clarified that minors or those below 18 years are still not allowed to go outside in Metro Manila under Alert Level 3 without any valid reason.
Going outside for essential purposes, such as availing medical or government services, and outdoor exercises are the only activities allowed outside, according to Alert Level guidelines.
While he admitted that DENR did not expect a huge number of people would continue visiting the area, he said they will recalibrate their policies, including implementing a time limit for visitors to stay that was already enforced over the weekend.
"We're still discussing with our law enforcers...on how to handle the crowd," he said.
"Perhaps, we'll also come up with the temporary suspension of our operation to prevent people from going there all over again. Let's see how we can do it. Also, we may have to restrict people from entering the area once we reach the maximum limit," he added in Filipino.