By: John Paolo Gatdula
Government and private volunteers took part in collecting trash along the shore of Dolomite Beach in Manila on the occasion of International Coastal Cleanup Day last September 17. (Photo from DENR)
Over 4500 sacks of garbage were collected during the cleanup drive conducted at the Dolomite Beach in Manila Bay on September 17.
With the theme “Fighting for Trash Free Seas-Pilipinas: Ending the Flow of Trash at the Source,” the cleanup activity was carried out in line with the celebration of International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day 2022 which led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The DENR said that more than 4,000 volunteers joined the cleanup drive at the 500-meter beach walk.
According to Rodelina de Villa, DENR-Metropolitan Environment Office (MEO) West OIC Director, that the collected trash were mostly plastic waste, dried water hyacinth, and marine debris.
“Volunteers from government, private organizations, and private individuals came to the Baywalk’s coastline with their own garbage bags as well,” de Villa said.
She told that the DENR Central Office supplied 3,000 of the 4,500 sacks through the Manila Bay Coordinating Office (MBCO), while 1,500 garbage bags were provided by the DENR-National Capital Region, which includes the DENR-MEO West.
Moreover, the national and local government agencies and private organizations who participated in the cleanup drive gave extra trash bags, which include the Manila City government, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, Philippine National Police (PNP), PNP-Maritime Group, and Philippine Coast Guard.
De Villa stated that the Manila Bay showed the cooperation of all sectors that it is important to address the garbage on the coastal area through targeted beach clean up activities.
“However big and daunting the task is, we can make a difference by bringing communities and people together to clean up beaches. Proof of this are organizations and individuals coming together at the Baywalk Dolomite Beach,” she said.
Other organizations that participated in ICC Day 2022:
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)
The Philippine Coast Guard joined forces with other volunteers in the cleanup activity on the shoreline of Manila Bay. (Photo from PCG)
“More than 1,000 sacks of waste materials were collected during the activity earlier,” the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said in commemoration of ICC day in Dolomite Beach in Manila Bay on Saturday.
According to PCG, a total of 310 individuals from their department, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and other institutions participated in the said event.
The ICC day is a Presidential Proclamation No. 470 signed by ex-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2003 which proclaims that it will be conducted on the third Sunday of September of each year in observance of the Global Coastal Clean-up celebrations.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority played a part in the observance of ICC day by collecting garbage along the shore and other waterways. (Photo from MMDA-PIO)
After a huge amount of trash swept on the coastline of Manila Bay and Dolomite Beach, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) conducted a cleanup operation on Monday.
Not less than 70 labor forces from the agency were deployed in the stretch and recovered two truckloads or equivalent to 40 cubic meters of rubbish according to MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos, who spearheaded the operation.
“Plastics are the most common trash found in Manila Bay. Undisputedly, it negatively affects the environment,” Abalos pointed out.
He also emphasized to stop the practice of indiscriminate dumping not just in Manila Bay but also on various waterways throughout the city.
Manila Water
Understanding how crucial the coastal clean-up and maintaining the waterways clean is, Manila Water workers combined efforts with volunteers from different institutions through gathering rubbish in Manila Bay. (Photo from Business Mirror)
In honor of this year's International Coastal Cleanup Day, Manila Water participated in cleanup activities in Metro Manila on September 17.
One of their main goals is to protect the bodies of water through “Toka Toka,” an environmental advocacy that promotes proper management of wastewater in every household as a crucial share (or “toka”) in reviving rivers and waterways.
“This day is a call to action for every one of us to take part in keeping our coasts and beaches clean,” Jennifer de los Santos told, the head of Manila Water’s Advocacy and Research Department.
De los Santos added that they will continue to pitch their part with the help of DENR and their other partners.
Hundreds of volunteers in Pasay City
Volunteers cleared garbage on the seaside of Manila Bay to mark ICC day in Pasay, City. (Photo from REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez)
Hundreds of volunteers cooperated in the cleanup drive on the stretch of the polluted Manila Bay to commemorate International Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday.
Sachets, rubber slippers, and other non-biodegradable waste washed on the 60km shore were picked up.
"This initiative will help make our coastal area in Manila Bay better so that our tourists and visitors will see the beauty of the bay," said Kendrick Lopez, a college student.
Jenet Panganiban, a 36-year-old volunteer, also told that we need to do these (cleanup drives) for our environment and to discourage people from throwing trash on the seaside.
Dolomite Beach as the star of criticism:
Spending resources without efficiently addressing the roots of the dilemma
The government participated in the cleanup drive on the coast during the celebration of International Coastal Cleanup Day where it stirred up controversy over its costly makeover of Manila Bay.
Thousands of volunteers cleared garbage on different areas of Manila Bay according to DENR.
However, no other spot in Manila Bay highlighted the significance of the environmental movement being conducted more than the Dolomite Beach, which critics saw as an excessively expensive project under the supervision of DENR.
A public advisory inviting people to join the cleanup drive was posted on the Facebook page of the said agency but the post received criticism.
“You spent millions for the dolomite, then it would be the Filipino people who ended up cleaning,” a social media user said.
On the other hand, Jon Bonifacio, national coordinator of Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment, stated that it was significant to clean up the garbage on shores but drives like this risk just being photo opportunities for our public officials.
Meanwhile, Von Hernandez, global coordinator of the group Break Free From Plastic said that we cannot be spending millions of resources yearly without effectively addressing the roots of the problem.
“It’s better investment for the government to just compel producers and companies to reduce and stop the production of single-use plastics and invest in proven reusable and … refilling systems,” he added.
But, Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda defended the project saying the funds were “not enough” to improve the bay’s water.
White sand project: a misplaced priority
Former Vice President Leni Robredo said that the Dolomite Beach in Manila Bay is a misplaced priority amidst COVID-19 pandemic.
In her weekly radio show, Robredo criticized the administration last September 2020 for allocating P349 million to the project despite the fact that it had repeatedly acknowledged that funding for the COVID-19 response was inadequate.
“Napaka-insensitive na gagawin mo ‘yan sa height ng pandemic na ang daming nagugutom, ang daming naghihirap,” she stated.
The ex-vice president said that the millions of funds allocated for the costly Dolomite Beach project could have been better used to help 80, 000 families in need in order for them to cope during the pandemic, but the government has no plans to put it into action due to lack of funds.
On the other hand, Robredo disagreed with what former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that the white sand project can help improve the mental health of the public.
“Iyong makatulong sa mental health ng tao, tapusin na ang pandemya. Gawin natin ‘yung lahat para bumalik na tayo sa normal,” she said.
Waste of Money
Pictures of Dolomite Beach covered with trash snatched the attention of netizens and prompted a reminder of the funds allocated to beautify the area.
The dismay came from how much money was spent to develop the spot amidst COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
“Sayang ang pera sa ginastos na dolomite,” one social media user said.
“This only means that dolomite beach is such a waste of money. Definitely not the best solution to clean Manila Bay. It was all artificial. It was never a solution,” another netizen commented.
Netizens also gave criticism about the undisciplined behavior of people regarding proper waste disposal.
On the other hand, a Facebook user suggested planting mangrove trees in the area instead of continuously adding dolomite sand.
Keywords:
Dolomite Beach
Manila Bay
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
4500 sacks of garbage
4,000 volunteers
International Coastal Cleanup Day (ICC)
Cleanup drive
Fighting for Trash Free Seas-Pilipinas: Ending the Flow of Trash at the Source,
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