Just when we thought that the sand had mostly settled on the dolomite issue, a new wave of—ehem—efforts to keep the artificial shore intact has been announced. After spending a cool P28 million on the dolomite project (so far), the Department of Public Works and Highways wants to build a breakwater to stop the crushed artificial sand from washing out.
[READ: Manila Bay’s new, pristine ‘white sand’ can do some serious ecological damage]
In an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) undersecretary Jonas Leones said the DPWH will be constructing a breakwater to protect the pristine “white sand” on Manila Bay from being washed away by waves.
Leones said that they have been informed that the DPWH will build a breakwater in addition to geotubes that was already placed in the perimeter of the shore to ensure that the crushed dolomite will remain intact despite the current. https://t.co/9YjKnrRhyR pic.twitter.com/GGgdK9KyYC
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) October 29, 2020
“In addition to the geotubes we placed, the DPWH as we have been informed, to ensure that the beach will be there and will not be destroyed by the strong current, they plan to put a breakwater in that area, siguro malayo lang sa beach,” Leones said.
After typhoon Quinta passed through Luzon, netizens noticed that the “white sand” beach was looking worse for wear. The pristine white shores were partially covered with the Bay’s natural grey-black sand. In response, the DENR assured everyone that the dolomite beach had not been washed out, but that the black sand had “washed in.”
Sure.
After spending P28 million on dolomite to “beautify” the shores of Manila Bay (without actually cleaning the rivers that lead to it), we guess breakwaters are where our taxes are going next.
Header image courtesy of Grig C. Montegrande for Inquirer.net
Get more stories like this by subscribing to our weekly newsletter here.
Read more:
Manila Bay’s new, pristine ‘white sand’ can do some serious ecological damage
The potential health hazards of Manila Bay’s ‘white sand’, as explained by DOH
There’s still a pandemic, do not cross: Mayor Isko Moreno asks DENR to barricade Manila Bay
Writer: ANDREIANA YUVALLOS
