by Victor B. Batongbakal
Through the collaborative effort of more than 4,000 volunteers, over 4,500 sacks of water waste have been recovered from the clean-up drive done in Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach in observance of International Coastal Clean-up (ICC) Day 2022 last September 17.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) led the activity with the theme “Fighting for Trash Free Seas, Pilipinas: Ending the Flow of Trash at the Source" which made them collect garbage that are mostly plastic wastes, dried water hyacinth, and marine debris.
The hit-and-miss solution
At the height of the pandemic, DENR under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte has pushed the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program allocating an initial budget of ₱389 million only for the first wave of putting up the artificial beach.
An additional ₱265 million budget was allotted for the second phase of the dolomite sand project to stretch its extent near the US embassy and increase the thickness of sand to one-meter.
To mimic the white sand of Boracay, they crushed dolomite minerals and turned them into sand to overlay the polluted water of Manila Bay.
Despite the beautification and several clean-up drives, the atrocity of the recent Typhoon Karding revealed the failed response of the DENR – the sand was washed away while floating garbage washed in along the coastline of Dolomite Beach which made people turn their frustration into social media regarding the said project.
"Overlaying the sand with dolomite would not solve the problem in Manila Bay. We need concrete and long-term plans for this. Hindi sustainable ang solution na ginawa nila. If we need to solve the problem, we need to address the root of the problem, hindi 'yung dolomite," a Twitter user quoted.
The University of the Philippines (UP) Biology strongly condemned the artificial placement of crushed dolomite on the reclaimed areas of Manila Bay.
In a released statement, the institute of Biology asserted that beyond the picturesque sunset of Manila Bay, the role of the surrounding community is significant in keeping its ecological integrity.
"To be successful, the rehabilitation program needs to demonstrate the grasp of land-sea connectivity as well as possible immediate, short-term, and long-term impacts at species ecosystem, and seascape scales," the UP Biology said.
The university also pointed out that strategic protection and conservation of biodiversity and ecological integrity should be the utmost mission for Manila Bay Rehabilitation, which the administration appeared not to meet.
Biodiversity of Manila Bay
The bay is not dead!
The Institute of Environmental Science & Meteorology (IESM) has revealed in their released statement entitled “Environmental Impacts of Dolomite Sand on the Marine Environment of Manila Bay” that even in its depressing state, Manila Bay has a high level of marine biodiversity.
Recently, they discovered a new species of sardine called Sardinella pacifica from Manila’s South Harbor where the sites of reclamation have been proposed.
Theoretically speaking, this discovery supports their scientific claim that the bay can be part of the center of global marine biodiversity which extends to the Batangas and Mindoro area.
Considering the records stored in different museums around the world, approximately, the bay is home to 400 species of mollusks and 146 species of fish which support the fishery industry around the bay.
An environmental movement driven by one hope
Despite the backlash Dolomite Beach has amassed, Filipinos from different sectors are still supporting the call for the restoration of the polluted bay.
Through the help of the Manila Bay Coordinating Office (MBCO), the DENR has provided 3,000 of the 4,500 sacks, while the additional 1,500 trash bags were given by DENR-National Capital Region, alongside DENR-MEO West.
As DENR-Metropolitan Environmental Office (MEO) West OIC Director Rodelina de Villa stated in an interview, volunteers from government, private organizations, and private individuals arrived at the Baywalk's coastline even with garbage bags of their own.
Aside from the supplementary equipment, they also showed support by participating in picking up all kinds of trash in the Baywalk.
Together with the DENR, Manila City government, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, Philippine National Police (PNP), PNP-Maritime Group, Maynilad Water Services Inc., Manila Water Company Inc., and the Dragon Boat Federation of the Philippines played a part in the event.
Geared up with casual cleaning attire in their trademark black and orange color, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) also joined the celebration of ICC Day and racked up at least 1,000 sacks of non-biodegradable waste materials.
“The International Coastal Clean-up Drive is vital as it promotes and unites countries and people with one common objective which is to take care of our environment by maintaining the cleanliness of our shorelines, rivers, lakes, and other waterways,” the PCG said.
The Dolomite Beach is just one of the coastal clean-up drive PCG attended to since it was simultaneously held in PCG stations nationwide.
According to De Villa, the Manila Baywalk reflects the teamwork of all sectors with the confidence to lessen the pollution and address coastal litter through 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,” de Villa said.
From July 12-September 14, there are already 147,939 sacks of solid waste collected in clean-up activities.
Light labor and a little ‘beat’ of fun
To lighten up the mood of volunteers while doing their part, Manila Bay Beach, an environmentally driven community, is continuously hosting clean-up drives – serving them with the sound of the bay through its radio.
According to their website, Manila Bay Beach Radio is Manila Bay’s first and only curated, live, 24-hour, streaming radio station, playing diverse genres of music back in the day (the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s & 90s) and serving them hot today.
On a side note, they are also motivated in conducting clean-up drives and encouraging everyone to do their part in maintaining the beach clean as they see the potential for Manila Bay to return to its grandeur and glory.
You can check out the complete list of available volunteer dates and be part of the growing Manila Bay Beach Volunteer Army on their official website.
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Keywords
Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach
International Coastal Clean-up Day
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Clean-up drive
Over 4,500 sacks of water waste
Over 4,000 volunteer
Philippine Coast Guard
Manila Bay Beach Radio
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