Several ranking lawmakers have expressed House support to the P384-million Manila Bay project and that they see no valid objection to it, with one of them asserting that the use of dolomite to beautify the shoreline could even help clean the bay waters.
But Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga, chairman of the House committee on natural resources on Thursday said he would press for an investigation if the issue were referred to his committee.
“As long as there is an issue, we shall act on it. The investigation will provide the oppositors and the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) to present their sides as part of due process,” Barzaga said.
Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Mike Defensor, a former environment secretary and now chairman of the public accounts committee, also vowed House support for the Manila Bay project which sought to transform the shoreline into a white-sand beach using Cebu province’s crushed dolomite rocks.
Deputy Speaker and Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte said dolomite could even help clean Manila Bay’s waters as proven by certain golf courses.
“I think we should give the secretary a chance,” Villafuerte said referring to DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu.
Earlier, Barzaga, Defensor and Villafuerte supported DENR’s project during the House committee on appropriations deliberations Tuesday on the proposed budget of the department under the P4.506 trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) of the Duterte administration for 2021.
The Makabayan Bloc in the House filed Resolution 1194 directing the chamber to look into “the suitability and sustainability to the Manila Bay Reclamation Program” of the shoreline filling project. Those who opposed the project – lawmakers and environmental groups alike – complained about its cost and timing as well as raised health concerns.
Cimatu defended before a House budget briefing the use of dolomite, stressing that the project underwent a technical study.
“We are really very sure of the safety of the use of dolomite in that area,” Cimatu said, rejecting warnings from the Department of Health.
“Dolomite in its natural state is not a known health hazard,” Cimatu said, recalling also that the Manila Bay’s beautification project was an offshoot of the mandamus issued by the Supreme Court for the government to clean up the area.
Cimatu’s statement drew the backing of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno who said that the dolomite being spread in the Manila Bay project was not harmful.
Workers started spreading white sand along a portion of the baywalk on Sept. 3, 2020 as part of the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program.
Domagoso said he got the information from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau following complaints from environmental groups warning of the alleged dangers of the white sand project by the DENR.
The Department of Health also clarified Wednesday that the dolomite used in the jaywalk beautification project was “100 times bigger than dust” and would no pose danger to the “general safety of the public.”
“How can I act on something that is not illegal, that is not harmful?” Domagoso told an online news forum.
Geologist Mahar Lagmay raised the warning that the artificial white sand could also be washed away during typhoons or high tide.
Domagoso rejected that claim and said he was “very thankful” for the rehabilitation of the capital’s bay, having been assured by the DENR that “engineering works” were in place to keep the sand in place.
But if the sand is washed away, the mayor said he was willing to spend money to replenish it “10 years, 5 years from now… but not in this pandemic.”
Domagoso said he would not spend a single cent for the project as he would rather use the city’s funds for vaccines, equipment and “anything that will help a patient who got infected with coronavirus.”
Domagoso urged other local governments to heed a Supreme Court mandamus to rehabilitate the bay.
The P384-million Manila Bay rehabilitation started 2 years ago and funds cannot be diverted for the pandemic, the DENR earlier said.
At least three senators asked the agency to halt the white sand project over reports that it could be harmful to health.
Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda welcomed criticisms of the Manila Bay beautification project, but pointed out that the DENR would pursue the program.