No system in place yet? Sen. Binay suggests temporary closure of dolomite beach

Sen. Nancy Binay presides over one of the Senate’s virtual hearings. Screen grab / Senate PRIB file photo

MANILA,  Philippines — Senator Nancy Binay is proposing the temporary closure of the artificial Manila baywalk dolomite beach following the reported crowding and health protocol violations there during the weekend.

According to the senator, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) must come up with a system first before again opening the artificial beach to the public.

“Mas maganda siguro kung pansamantala munang isara ang dolomite beach habang wala pang regulasyon at sistema ang DENR sa area,” Binay, who heads  the Senate committee on tourism,  said in a statement on Tuesday.

(Maybe it’s better to temporary close the dolomite beach until the DENR comes up with a system and rules in the area.)

The dolomite beach, a project of DENR, reopened to the public as government eases restrictions against COVID-19.

Binay lamented that while health workers are doing every necessary intervention in controlling the spread of new COVID-19 variants, “there are also those who organize events or offer unnecessary attractions yet failed to manage the crowds resulting in rapid community transmissions.”

Though from the point of view of health and wellness, the senator recognized the “public’s desire to spend time in open spaces.”

“Siguro, yung nakikita nating pagdagsa ng tao sa Manila Bay area at parks can be a good step forward for the national and local governments to rethink how green and open spaces will work best in the new normal context,” she said.

“Alongside health protocols, a well-thought out urban planning plays a big part in creating the best environment in or outside the cities which will make sense from a public health perspective,”  Binay further said.

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JPV