By: Kathleen Anne C. Silvino - The Capitol News October 7, 2022
Several volunteers joined the Manila Baywalk cleanup drive. (Photo from DENR-NCR)
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) gathered over 4,500 bags of garbage after celebrating the 37th International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day by doing Manila Bay Dolomite Beach cleanup operation last September 17.
As stated by DENR-Metropolitan Environmental office (MEO) West OIC Director Rodelina de Villa, the collected garbage includes plastic wastes, dried water hyacinths, and marine debris.
The cleanup activity was completed with the help of around 4,000 to 5,000 volunteers.
Associated with this, De Villa mentioned that the 3,000 waste bags used for cleaning up the area came from the DENR Central Office and another 1,500 from the DENR-National Capital Region.
“Volunteers from government, private organizations, and private individuals came to the
Baywalk’s coastline with their own garbage bags as well,” the DENR-MEO West OIC Director said.
National and local government agents and private groups, including the Manila City government, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, Philippine National Police (PNP), PNP-Maritime Group, Philippine Coast Guard, Maynilad Water Services Inc., Manila Water Company Inc., Dragon Boat Federation of the Philippines, and many others brought additional sacks and played a part in the said activity.
The ICC day is commemorated annually, every third Saturday of the month of September.
State of Manila Dolomite Beach a few days after the coastal cleanup last September 17, 2022. (Photo from Raya Capulong, ABS-CBN News)
However, tons of waste materials covered the Manila Baywalk again three days after the said cleanup.
Workers getting ready to cover Manila Bay using artificial white sand made from dolomite on September 3, 2020. (Photo from Inoue Jaena, Rappler)
Last 2020, in the middle of COVID-19, the beautification project of DENR for Manila Bay became controversial as it received adverse responses from the citizens and other professionals.
People viewed it as an insensitive move of the government as they believed it was useless and a waste of money.
They thought the fund should be used for more important matters such as fighting COVID-19, unemployment, and hunger.
Experts, including the University of the Philippines' Marine Science Institute, also think that besides the fact that the dolomite sand program is costly and only temporary, it may also give possible health risks to the people and marine environmental problems.
DENR admitted that the said project is not included in the process and plans of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in reviving and rehabilitating Manila Bay.
Nevertheless, they still believe that this beach nourishment can help and support the long-term plans of NEDA.
DENR
4,500
International Coastal Cleanup (ICC)
Manila Bay Dolomite Beach cleanup
Garbage
Cleanup
Manila Bay
Dolomite sand
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