Kiko calls for Senate probe on Manila Bay white sand project

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has called for a Senate investigation on the P389-million Manila Bay nourishment project, which used crushed dolomite as white sand, saying such initiative appears wasteful and hazardous, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Napakaraming ibang dapat gastusan ng pera ng bayan, hindi ang white beach project sa Manila Bay. Lumampas na sa 380,000 ang COVID cases, marami nang dumaan na malalakas na bagyo, pero pinipilit pa rin na tama ito. Ang tanong: Kailangan ba talaga ito?” Pangilinan said in a statement Friday.

“This project is wasteful and unnecessary. Dapat ginamit ang milyon-milyong pondo para i-supplement ang ating pandemic health response, o kaya para sa distance learning gadgets at materials ng mga guro at estudyante. Pwede rin sanang cash aid para sa milyong mga Pilipino na nawalan ng trabaho ngayong pandemya,” he added.

Pangilinan’s call, made under his Senate Resolution No. 565, also raised concerns of sustainability, legality, and possible environmental and public health hazards of the controversial Manila Bay project.

He also wanted to look into the possible liability of government officials and probable violations on the following laws:

•     Local Government Code;
•     Philippine Fisheries Code;
•     Wildlife Conservation Act;
•     Environmental Impact Assessment System;
•     Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees; and/or
•     Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

“Hindi lang sa Manila Bay ang problema kundi na rin sa pagmimina ng mga dolomite sa Alcoy, Cebu na posibleng ikinasira ng mga coral reefs at pagkawala ng tirahan ng ilang endangered species. Sa madaling sabi, mas maraming problema pa itong dinala kesa solusyon,” Pangilinan said.

“Sayang ang pera, parang pinaanod lang sa dagat,” Pangilinan added.

The series of typhoons that hit the country already washed away parts of the P28 million-worth of crushed dolomite rocks adorning the Manila Bay coastline.

Malacanang and DENR have repeatedly defended the project.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said the effort to rehabilitate Manila Bay was in response to the mandamus issued by the Supreme Court to the government to clean up the body of water.

He added the crushed dolomite rocks used are not harmful and can also treat the pH level of water, from acidic to alkaline.

He further said the source of funding was a special purpose fund under the 2019 General Appropriations Act intended for the rehabilitation of Manila Bay.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the government could not realign the funds intended for the Manila Bay “white sand” project for COVID-19 response.

Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya earlier said that the project was approved by Congress under the 2019 national budget, underwent competitive bidding, and was awarded prior to the global pandemic.—AOL, GMA News