Dolomite Beach along Roxas Boulevard, Manila on Friday, October 9, 2020. INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is planning to construct a breakwater to protect the crushed dolomite used as artificial white sand from being washed away by strong waves at the Manila Bay.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary Jonas Leones said Thursday that they have been informed that the DPWH will build a breakwater in addition to geotubes, or the huge, durable plastic filled with sand that was already placed in the perimeter of the shore to ensure that the crushed dolomite will remain intact despite the current.
“In addition to the geotubes we placed, the DPWH as we have been informed, to ensure that the beach will be there and it will not be destroyed by the strong current, they plan to put a breakwater in that area, siguro malayo lang sa beach,” Leones told ABS-CBN News Channel.
“Ang purpose noon is similar to the geotubes, to caution the strong waves or strong waves na papalo doon sa beach area na ‘yun,” he also said.
(Its purpose is the same as that of geotubes, which is to caution the strong waves that will hit the beach area.)
The official also assured that the crushed dolomite in the area remains “intact” despite the strong waves and winds brought by typhoon Quinta.
He said it is impossible for the artificial white sand to be washed away as it is enclosed by geotubes, and added that the sand will eventually be more stable as it sits longer on the shore.
Leones also said that the garbage in the area which DENR officials saw during an inspection on Monday was “few” compared to the volume of garbage there in the past.
The DENR maintains that the white sand was not washed out despite photos showing a portion of the beach project covered by black sand. The department said there was only a “wash in” by thick black sand from the waters of Manila Bay.