Visitors of the Manila Bay’s dolomite beach are seen enjoying the newly reopened beach front along Roxas Boulevard. (FILE) Image from Twitter / DENR
MANILA, Philippines — The Manila Bay dolomite beach reopened to the public on Tuesday, but for people planning to visit the artificial white beach should first register online to avoid overcrowding in the area, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
According to an advisory from DENR, the dolomite beach is open to the public from December 28 to 29, 2021, and from January 4, 2022 onwards.
Visitors, however, should first use the Dolomite Beach Appointment System (DBAS) to be allowed entry at the beach.
The DENR said the DBAS was set in place to prevent overcrowding in the beach area amid the COVID-19 pandemic and to “provide guests with the best experience during their visit.”
“Please be advised, however, that DBAS only processes one appointment at a time. Children 11 years old and below are ineligible and appointment/s must be made one day before the planned visit,” the department said.
Confirmation of appointment will be sent through email. Those who fail to come on their confirmed date of visit are required to register again.
“Post-dated appointments will not be honored,” the DENR said.
Vaccination cards should also be presented at the entrance gate. The agency said those who fail to comply will not be allowed entry.
Guests are required to wear their face masks properly and observe physical distancing at all times. Food, drinks, pets, vaping or smoking, swimming, and littering are not allowed. Children aged 11 and below are not allowed to enter.
The DENR said that entrance to the dolomite beach will be in batches, with a maximum of 300 visitors per batch in the following schedules:
Morning schedule:
6:30 – 7:30 a.m.
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Afternoon schedule:
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
The Manila Bay dolomite beach was closed to the public from October 29 to November 3 during the “Undas” season but authorities extended the closure of the area to finish its rehabilitation.
The closure also follows previous incidents where authorities failed to control the influx of visitors to the beach amid health protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.