The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said Monday that around 10 percent of the P389-million worth of dolomite sand in Manila Bay had been swept to sea due to heavy remains brought by typhoon Quinta.
Environment Undersecretary Jonas Leonos said the black sand is also being washed in, covering the artificial white sand, Bernadette Reyes’ reported on “24 Oras,”
“May discoloration kasi ‘yong black sand niya pumapatong doon dahil sa lakas ng wave, dinadala ‘yong black sand, ‘yong regular sand, but this is a clean sand naman eh,” Leones said.
The DENR official added that the agency would put dolomite sand in the water so white sand would be washed in instead of the regular black sand.
“Nakikita natin ‘yong magiging problema. Puwede laging mag-adjust. So later on, lalagyan pa rin namin dolomite ‘yon pati sa tubig na para at least pagka lumakas ‘yong wave, hindi na black sand ang dadalhin ng tubig, white sand na,” he said.
In September, the DENR and local government started dumping 500 tons of crushed dolomite to create a “white sand” beach as part of the Manila Bay rehabilitation project.
The project drew criticisms, with many saying that it was just a waste of people’s money.
Last month, DENR spokesperson Benny Antiporda said it is a “lie” to declare that the crushed dolomite in the Manila “white sand” was washed out.
10% of P389-M dolomite sand swept to sea – DENR
“Nakita po na puro kasinungalingan yung lumabas na nag-wash out yung white sand natin,” Antiporda said in a televised briefing.
(Our white sand supposedly washed out was only a lie.)
“Ang nangyari po talaga is wash in. Pumasok po yung itim na buhangin at pumatong sa white dolomite,” he explained.
(It was washed in. The black sand covered the white dolomite sand.)
The DENR official further explained that the beachfront must be maintained. However, its maintenance is yet to be done since it remains under the contractor’s jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, biologists from the University of the Philippines- Diliman earlier said offered to help DENR rehabilitate Manila Bay using “science-based” programs.
Antiporada did not welcome UP’s suggestions and criticisms and ended up calling the experts “bayaran.”