MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Thursday said he sees no reason to stop the controversial Manila Bay white sand project, saying there should be a valid reason to stop it which he said, is part of the bay’s rehabilitation process.
“What will be the major reason to stop? And what are we going to gain when we stop? It is long overdue. Let us be fair to environmentalists who fought for this for 20 years. Nakipaglaban ang environmentalists na linisin ang Manila Bay and fortunately for them, Supreme Court decided on the matter,” Moreno said over ABS-CBN News Channel when sought for his reaction on calls to stop the Manila Bay white beach project.
“There must be a valid reason to stop this project. Let us go back to its principle, this is a rehabilitation of the entire Manila Bay and you are just talking only of Manila alone. Manila Bay is composed of so many provinces and municipalities and cities. This is just the beginning,” he added.
Last week, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) defended the dumping of crushed dolomite on Manila Bay’s shoreline, saying it would discourage littering. The white sand project is part of the P389 million beach enhancement for the bay.
Moreno also reiterated that the Department of Health (DOH) has already issued a clarification that dolomite sand is safe.
“Let me confront and let’s be straightforward. Ang dolomite makapaminsala? Ang sabi hindi. Sino may sabi? Hindi ako, hindi DENR, DOH ang may sabi,” he said.
(Let me confront and let’s be straightforward. Is dolomite dangerous? They said no. Who said that? Not me, not DENR, DOH said that.)
The DOH on Wednesday clarified that only dolomite dust can cause health risks when inhaled.
Environment chief Roy Cimatu also assured that the crushed dolomite used in the project is not hazardous, noting that only dolomite dust generated during crushing and screening pose risk to the public’s health.