Mental Health Solution or Environmental Problem?

Katherine Sebastian Cunanan

The controversial ‘white sand beach’ in Manila Bay draws flak recently. Manila Bay is a natural harbor which serves as a port in Manila located in Luzon. The bay has undergone some major changes from land reclamation to waterfront development over the past years which it led to have environmental impact on the marine resource such as deterioration of water quality and water pollution. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources proposed a project to restore the Manila Bay’s beauty as part of the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program launched by DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu in January 2019. The proposal for project is to make an artificial beach along the Bay walk pathway near Roxas Boulevard. The project was approved by the national government and allocated P365-M budget for the plan which received and led by Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso.

In early September 2020, the Philippine Mining Service Corporation began development of artificial beach by dumping processed dolomite rock along the coastline of Manila Bay. 3,500-metric ton of material used came from its source in Alcoy, Cebu. Mayor Isko Moreno claims that beautification of Manila bay will improve tourism and Spokesperson Harry Roque said it will be beneficial to mental health of individuals.

However, on September 17, 2020, hundreds of dead fish were seen floating in Sea Wall of Manila Bay. The fishermen said this is the first time they’ve seen so many dead fish. They were also surprised to see white particles in sand and they’re used to see fish kill but not that many and only during Amihan season. Princess Esponilla, the group’s media advocacy officer, added they are still gathering further information regarding the incident. She interviewed Oceana Philippines that there is a possibility that dumping dolomite caused the fishes’ death. Fernando Hicap of the fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said that one of the objectives of Manila Bay rehabilitation is to decrease the amount of heavy metals in the harbor. “Dolomite contains high amount of heavy metals such as aluminum, lead and mercury, which would contribute to the pollution and acidity of Manila Bay,” Hicap said. The Department of Health (DOH) cautioned that the inhalation of dolomite dust can cause respiratory issues.

Manila bay artificial beach cost the DENR P389-M, including P28-M for the crushed dolomite. Some citizens request for transparency how the budget spent. The DENR has not yet release the contract of project, as well as supplemental documents related to maintaining the completed project.

On September 19, the ‘white sand beach’ Manila bay was opened to the public. A number of pedestrians crowded the area to see the makeover of bay. Photos and videos began to spread on social media showing the people standing close to each other despite quarantine and health protocols are still not lifted. This caused humor and criticism from netizen and the #ManilaBayChallenge trends all over social media sites since Sunday.

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The author is Teacher II at Pampanga High School