White sands from Cebu are being spread on Manila Bay

But it may not be for the best

Amidst the continuous rehabilitation of Manila Bay, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is planning to cover 500 meters of the popular walkway with white sand.

The program falls under the department’s Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program, which seeks to bring the iconic white sands of Cebu to the Roxas Boulevard strip.

‘Gagawin white sand itong, dito sa may bay walk area para makita ng tao na kapag puti ang kulay ng isang bagay, kailangan pangalagaan mo ito at ‘wag mo dumihan,’ shared DENR undersecretary Benny Antiporda.

The full-on white sand experience is also set to be ready for showcasing on International Coastal Cleanup Day this September 19.

 

Despite it potentially being a pretty picture, people are calling out the alleged ‘band-aid solution’ – as sand dumping poses a risk to Cebu’s natural beaches and is seen by some as a literal cover-up of the Bay’s underlying environmental issues.

 ‘Kung ang objective is to save Manila Bay by cleaning it up, putting materials on top of the uncleaned environment would not help,’ said Greenpeace PH rep Sonny Batungbacal.

‘I doubt kung dumating yung mga storm surges, bagyo, kung nandiyan pa yan, not to mention yung cost involved.’

This video uploaded in Youtube more than 12 hours ago shows several heavy equipment dumping white sand in the shores along Roxas Blvd in Manila. If this really happened, then WHAT THE HELL IS ISKO MORENO THINKING??? #SaveManilaBay #SaveOurSeas

Link here: https://t.co/VG4JssFudZ pic.twitter.com/7HxhzOyHE5

— Mangingisda #SaveTaliptip (@MangingisdaSays) September 1, 2020

 

The problem is not the sand but the pollution that Manila Bay is currently facing. STOP HARVESTING SAND FROM OTHER PLACE JUST TO BEAUTIFY THIS DIRTY BAY.

PS: Are we really sure that this is only for aesthetic or for the future devt of Manila Bay re reclamation for a new CBD? https://t.co/4Ndfpaju6G

— Youth Strike 4 Climate Philippines (@youth4climatePH) September 3, 2020

 

If you want to improve Manila Bay then start with reforestation, and cleaning programs for our rivers, streams, and creeks that end in the bay. You don't destroy one place to improve another. But of course these projects have to be done within Du's time. Bandaid solutions muna https://t.co/eeEH9VBJ68

— Jeric Rustia (@jericrustia) September 3, 2020

 

Since white sand is not a natural feature of Manila Bay, one wonders if this project is sustainable. Besides, where is the white sand getting extracted? The environment impact of that kind of operation is worrying. https://t.co/fdK22ZksSl

— Atom Araullo (@atomaraullo) September 3, 2020

 

Is it worth it though?

The post <b> White sands from Cebu are being spread on Manila Bay</b> appeared first on WE THE PVBLIC.

Source: we the pvblic