Palace: Not ‘white sand,’ but ‘crushed dolomite boulders’ used in Manila Bay

MANILA, Philippines — It is “erroneous” to say that white sand was used to cover Manila Bay’s shore, Malacañang said Friday, pointing out that “crushed dolomite boulders” were utilized in the makeover.

“On the issue of the Manila Bay rehabilitation, per the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the report that ‘white sand’ is being used to fill the stretch of the baywalk is erroneous,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

“DENR added ‘crushed dolomite boulders’ would be utilized for the aforesaid project,” he added.

Roque said funds for Manila Bay’s rehabilitation project were already allocated even before the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic broke out.

Environmentalists and fisherfolk groups questioned DENR’s project, calling it “artificial rehabilitation” that focused on appearance.

But DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda came to the project’s defense, saying it would discourage littering in Manila Bay. [ac]