Manila Bay Beach

The Manila Bay Beach, or the Manila Bay Sands, is a man-made beach located in Manila, Philippines created through the process of beach nourishment. It is situated along Manila Bay and is part of an overall integrated coastal zone management aimed at coastal defense of the Manila Bay Rehabilitation. When completed, the beach will cover a total lengh of 900 meters of the Manila Baywalk.[1]

"Dolomite Beach" redirects here. For other uses, see Dolomite.
Manila Bay Beach
Manila Bay Sands
The beach during its temporary opening in September 2020.
LocationManila, Philippines
Coordinates14°34′29.2″N 120°58′45.4″E
Offshore water bodiesManila Bay
Length100–150 meters (330–490 ft) (completed)
900 meters (3,000 ft)
(under-construction)
Width60 meters (200 ft)
Area5.4 hectares (13 acres)
Creation2020

Background
Government officials inspect progress of the beach project.

The Manila Bay Beach is a project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. It is a part of the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program launched by Secretary Roy Cimatu in January 2019.[2] It is an integral part of the integrated coastal zone management aimed at coastal defense of the Manila Bay Rehabilitation. Budget for the project was approved prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was allocated for the beach nourishment, coastal restoration and enhancement of the Manila Baywalk area.[3] Works on the project began on August 2020, when the government issued a permit to Philippine Mining Service Corporation to transport crushed dolomite from Alcoy, Cebu to Manila.[4]

When the Manila Bay Beach project came to wider public attention, the project has received criticism from environment and heritage conservationist groups. Among these include the timing of the project which was implemented amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns of adverse environmental effects caused by dumping dolomite on the polluted Manila Bay.[3][5] As of September 25, environment chief suspends dolomite mining operation Cebu as a source of Manila Bay white sand.[6]

Beach
Manila Bay beach during its temporary opening.
Continued works on the Manila Bay beach. December 2020.

The Manila Bay Beach was constructed through the process of beach nourishment, which a common practice in the creation of beaches around the world.[7] Upon the extraction of debris in the 500 meters (1,600 ft) portion of Baywalk from the Manila Yacht Club to the US Embassy in Manila, the project proponents dumped two layers of ordinary sand before overlaying it with crushed dolomite.[8][9]

The beach was first opened to the public from September 19 to 20, 2020.[10][11] Afterwards, it was closed again for expansion.[11] Originally, the beach was to be completed by December 2020, but it was pushed back in 2021. On January 17, 2021, DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda stated that the overlaying of crushed dolomite for a 500-meter portion of the beach will take one to two months to complete.[12]

Design

The beach nourishment project was carried out by the Department of Public Works and Highways in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and is a part of the Manila Bay Rehabilitation. The beach has a total length of 90 meters (300 ft), starting from the tip of the United States Embassy in Manila, and a width of 60 meters (200 ft) from the starting from the shores of Manila Baywalk. The whole project, which consists of the beach nourishment, coastal restoration and enhancement of the Manila Baywalk area covers the whole area starting from the southernmost tip of the US Embassy up to the Breakwater of the Manila Yacht Club.[1] The DPWH plans to build a new breakwater, in addition to geotubes, to protect the beach from storm surges and prevent the dolomite sands from washing out.[8] The proposed breakwater will also protect low-lying areas in Manila, Pasay, Las Piñas and Parañaque.[13]

Impact

According to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, the project will benefit tourism, commerce and the environment. It will also protect coastal properties from erosion and storm surges and beach nourishment are preferred projects over hard beach stabilizing structures (such as seawalls and groynes).[7] The Department of Health released a statement that the use of dolomite is not a known health hazard.[14]

Environment

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has maintained that the dolomite used to create the Manila Bay Beach poses no harm to the Manila Bay's ecosystem.[15] The dumping of dolomite has been suspected as a possible cause for a fish kill on September 17, 2020 near the waters of the Baseco Compound.[16] The DENR countered the claim, saying that the fish kill happened 5 kilometers (3.1 mi) away from the beach and cited the prevalence of the southwest monsoon at that time, and the presence of a breakwater between the site and adjacent waters of the beach that prohibits the transfer of sand.[17]

As with other beach nourishment projects, the area can serve as additional habitat for a number of species such as sea turtles, as well as sea birds and beach flora.[18][19] When the beach was first opened to the public, a flock of Egrets were seen at the beach area.[20]

Reception

The project has received support from the Manila City Government led by Mayor Isko Moreno.[21] President Rodrigo Duterte also voiced his support the project. Likewise, the project has received the overwhelming support of the general public.[22] On its partial opening in September, people crowded the beach and the nearby area that physical distancing were not properly observed.[23] Vloggers have been posting positive updates regarding the project, which DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda cited as an "effective way in informing the public" about the project.[12]

The project received criticism from activists, environmentalists, environmental watchdogs and heritage conservationists groups.[24] Three senators also voiced their opposition for the project: Nancy Binay, Risa Hontiveros and Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan. Binay cited the lack of public consultation for the project, as well as the lack of study regarding the effects of the use of dolomite sands. Both Hontiveros and Pangilinan argued that the funds for the project should have been used on public health and relief goods.[25] Progressive group Akbayan filed a case for the Supreme Court to penalize the Department of Environment and Natural Resources because of the project, but the petition was junked.[26]

References
  1. "ANNEX B 19O00061" (PDF). Department of Public Works and Highways. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  2. Subingsubing, Krixia (September 4, 2020). "Critics see red in Manila Bay's 'white sand' makeover". Cebu Daily News. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  3. Perez-Rubio, Bella (September 7, 2020). "Palace: P389-M Manila Bay 'white sand' project approved prior to pandemic". The Philippine Star. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  4. "3.5k metric tons of dolomite for Manila Bay from Alcoy, Cebu". Cebu Daily News. 5 September 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  5. Sabillo, Kristine (September 8, 2020). "Manila Bay sands project violates National Cultural Heritage Act, other laws - environmental groups". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  6. "Environment chief suspends dolomite mining ops in Cebu source of Manila Bay 'white sand'". ABS-CBN News. September 25, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  7. "Impact of the Use of Dolomite in Beach Nourishment in Manila Bay". BusinessMirror. November 2, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  8. Mayuga, Jonathan L. (September 13, 2020). "Beach nourishment project is a work in progress–DENR". Mines and Geosciences Bureau. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  9. Mendiola, Ritchel. "DENR Insists Manila Bay 'White Sand' Project Safe". Asian Journal. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  10. "Physical distancing not observed during Manila Bay 'white sand beach' opening". GMA News. September 19, 2020. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  11. "Look: Crowd gathers at Manila Bay's new 'white beach'". CNN Philippines. September 19, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  12. Chavez, Chito (January 17, 2021). "DENR on track to complete Manila Bay rehab project". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  13. Gonzales, Cathrine (October 29, 2020). "How to stop wash-out of Manila Bay 'white sand'? DPWH eyes building breakwater". Inquirer.net. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  14. Hallare, Katrina (September 9, 2020). "Dolomite in Manila Bay 'white beach' won't cause health risks, DOH now says". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  15. "Kalikasan writ eyed against Manila Bay white sand project". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 7 September 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  16. "Dead fish in Manila Bay surprises Baseco residents". Manila Bulletin. 17 September 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  17. "Dolomite in bay project not related to fish kill incident: DENR". Mindanao Daily Mirror. Philippine News Agency. September 17, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  18. "Beach Nourishment: Benefits, Theory and Case Examples". SpringerLink. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  19. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-06-29. Retrieved 2010-12-21.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  20. "Egrets drop by Manila Bay during 'White Sands' project opening". GMA News. September 20, 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  21. Moaje, Marita (September 10, 2020). "'New' Manila Bay to attract tourists, investors: Isko". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  22. "CIMATU ELATED BY OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FROM PRRD AND THE PUBLIC FOR MANILA BAY BEACH NOURISHMENT PROJECT". Department of Environment and Natural Resources. September 22, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  23. Aguilar, Krissy (September 21, 2020). "Palace: Manila Bay crowding for 'white beach' proof that rehab project a 'right decision'". Inquirer.net. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  24. "Philippines: Artificial white sandy beach could spell eco disaster". DW. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  25. Ramos, Marlon (September 7, 2020). "3 senators tell DENR: Stop Manila Bay 'white beach' project now". Inquirer.net. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  26. "SC won't sanction DENR for dolomite project, sees no violation of 2008 order to save Manila Bay". CNN Philippines. November 19, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
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