White sand on Manila Bay

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4 years ago

I promised to myself that I will avoid reacting again to our government's hilarious action because this can cause different arguments and misunderstandings among the Filipino users here in Read.Cash. But after several weeks of patiently ignoring the news, I can't control it anymore.

Today, I am here to state my opinion regarding to the action of Department of National Resources (DENR) on putting pulverized dolomite rocks as white sand on the shores of Manila Bay.

Duterte administration is burning with eagerness to rehabilitate the Manila Bay. This is not the first time that the administration has done this. Last April 26, 2018, Boracay Island is closed for 6 months. This has paved the way for the beautification of it. Many illegal establishments have been closed, the sewerage system has been fixed, and the level of coliform bacteria, the bacteria responsible for algae, has been brought to normal.

After the success of the said project, DENR chose the Manila bay for their next rehabilitation project. This has created a loud boom in the news. Almost all of the citizens are happy and talking about it. Many illegal establishments around the bay have been shut, the sewerage system has been, somehow fixed, and it has raised awareness to take care of our environment.

Many months have passed and the news about the rehabilitation of the Manila Bay has been gradually forgotten. Since then, the Filipinos have never received any updates about it.

Not until today when DENR announced that they will put white sands on the shores of Manila Bay. This has created clamor among the citizens. Being a man who always analyzes the situation and considers the greater good of the people, I am totally against it. And of course, I will not be against it without basis.

  1. The storms and high tides may wash away these white sands.

The University of the Philippines Resilience Institute executive director Mahar Lagmay, stated that sands are always transported from one place to another. He added that this will be expensive if they will continue to replenish it as time goes by. Knowing that Manila Bay is violent when there's a storm, these white sand may be carried to the deeper part of the water.

Sand around the Manila Bay comes from the mountains and naturally dark grey, said the scientist.

Source: https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/04/20/storms-high-tide-may-wash-away-manila-bay-white-sand-scientist

  1. The white sands may harm the health of people.

DENR said these are not real white sands. These are just pulverized dolomite rocks.

Vergeire said that medical studies have shown that the artificial “white sand” or dolomite dust may cause respiratory issues, eye irritation, and gastrointestinal discomfort.

“Ang sinasabi po sa studies, first ‘yung dolomite dust, kapag nag-aerosolize, it can cause respiratory issues or effects to a person. Also kapag napunta sa mata, nagkakaroon ng kaunting irritation so you just have to wash it off with water. Third, kapag na-ingest ito, it can have discomfort sa gastrointestinal system natin and magkakaroon lang ng kaunting pagsakit ng tiyan at pagtatae,” she said.

(According to studies, dolomite dust, when aerosolized, can cause respiratory issues or effects to a person. Also when this dust contacts your eyes, there is a possibility that there will be a little irritation. When this happens, you just have to wash it off with water. Third, when ingested, it can have discomfort in our gastrointestinal system and there will be only a little pain in the stomach and diarrhea.)

Source: https://www.facebook.com/PhilippineSTAR/photos/a.134754620011561/1929020653918273/

  1. The money spent on artificial white sand can be used on more important things.

In an interview, Secretary of the Education Leonor Briones was asked if the money spent on Manila Bay's white sand was allocated to education, what will be the equivalent pieces of equipment can be bought?

Briones answered, "If for instance, the government will give P389 million to the agency, I’m sure a big part of that will go to gadgets."

She also added that the money can be used to print modules to distribute to places that are lacking in technology.

Source:  https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1332359/funds-for-manila-bay-white-sands-could-have-bought-gadgets-modules-for-studes-deped#ixzz6XMVPG6yp

Vice President Leni Robredo also said that the P349 million allocated by the government to transform a portion of Manila Bay can be used to feed 80,000 hungry families. She also added that it is indeed insensitive that it will be done during a pandemic where everyone is suffering.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque insisted that it can help to ease the mental health problems of Filipinos during these trying times. He also said that the budget was already approved last year (2019) as part of the beautification of Manila Bay.

Source: https://www.philstar.com/nation/2020/09/07/2040550/manila-bay-funds-could-have-fed-poor-families-robredo?fbclid=IwAR02_UGxwXSPSHmhsyP_6d2byhDJsd_fQ5sGSdWDNy7aEprWZUJPQA8oVZo

Let us all remember that last March 25, 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (RA 11469) which gave him emergency powers. In this provision, he can realign and reallocate the fund to ramp up the COVID-19 response in the country. So, if he was given the power to move the funds, why he didn't dare to use the budget in transforming Manila Bay in improving the COVID-19 situation? Imagine telling to your fellow countrymen that we don't have any budgets left but your administration keeps on spending on useless things.

  1. It will not solve the real problem.

Based on the recent report of GMA News, tons of garbages are still seen on the shores of Manila Bay. A passerby reported the stinky smell is created by these garbages.

Pollution is the main problem of Manila Bay. DENR should focus on solving the root cause of it and not just giving a band-aid solution. Laying artificial white sand on the shore will not be helpful at all. It will just add aesthetics but it won't cover the fact that the real problem is still existing. Also, it is a total waste of money, given the reasons above.

Source: https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/balitambayan/balita/754637/sandamakmak-na-basura-palutang-lutang-sa-manila-bay/story/

The government should use the people's money wisely. If they want to fix the problems on Manila Bay, they should spend the money on long term solutions and not just on aesthetics. If they think that the white sand will somehow solve the problem, they should allocate the funds to other important matters instead.


What's your reaction and opinion about this matter? Kindly share it to the comment section. Have a good day!

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4 years ago

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Nice post

$ 0.00
4 years ago

Nice post

$ 0.00
4 years ago

Nice post

$ 0.00
4 years ago

People are saying this project is useless. And also they say that why did they waste this tons amount of money to this project instead of giving it to the people during this time of crisis. It wasn't a bad idea at all. It's just that it was done at the wrong time.

$ 0.00
4 years ago

that nice dear ,go ahead,

$ 0.00
4 years ago

Pollution is the not only main problem of Manila Bay but also many of the beaches around the world. Nowadays people are too many unrespectful to the nature. They pollute the nature Whereever they go. Our Cox's Bazar sea beach is being also affected by pollution day by day.

$ 0.00
4 years ago

Sana yung pera ginastos diyan s white sand na yan pinamahagi nyu nalang sa nga naghihirap.nating kababayan. dahil sa covid. hindi naman sa kumukuntra ako sa pa white sand white sand na yan . naawa lang talaga ako sa mga hindi nakakapag trabaho dahil sa pandemik. sino ang apektado ?? diba lahat tayo apektado. pero mas kawawa yung nga hindi nakaoag trabaho.mas apektado mga anak nila mga pamilya nila .. nako kung mayaman lang ako ako nlang tutulong sa mga nangangailangan.

$ 0.00
4 years ago

Exactly. Maraming pwedeng paglaanan ng pondo pero mas pinipili na gastusin sa mga di masyadong importanteng bagay. I admit na gusto kong gumanda ang manila bay pero not this time. Tsaka maling mali yung process ng pagpapaganda nila. I mean dapat linisin muna yung mga basurang nagkalat sa dagat

$ 0.00
4 years ago

This is my own observation and also I visited the said MANILA BAY. Sa totoo Lang po ha panu nyo PO nasabi na mas pinili Ng Gobyerno unahin Yan kaysa sa ipondo sa pandemic? Una sa lahat nagstart Napo Yan ilang taon na nakaraan at mismo Ang pangulo Ang namahala Jan .Way back 2019 February Ng bumisita ako Jan at sobrang Linis na PO Ng MANILA BAY nilagyan pa Yan Ng bakod para Wala munang magtamby dun at maiwasan dn Ang mgtapon Ng basura. Malinis po Ang Manila Bay simula Ng pangunahan ni Pangulong duterte Ang pagpapagwa Jan.

$ 0.00
4 years ago

Miss @psychie last march po ay binigyan ng special powers ang pangulo na galawin at ilipat ang pondo sa mas mahahalagang bagay.

Di ako kontra sa pagpapaganda ng manila bay pero this is not the right time para gumastos ng 300+ million para lang sa buhangin. Oo, approve sakin ang pagtatanggal ng basura pero anong magagawa ng buhangin para maging malinis yung dagat?

$ 0.00
4 years ago

ang dapat na linisin diyan ang mga taong nagtatapon nang basura. kung saan2 tayo din napepeprwesyo nang mga basurang itinatapon kung saan2 ehh .. dapat gumawa nang batas ang gobyerno. na pag mahuli na my magtapon nang basura. pag mumultahin o ikulong . kung mga minor ang mahuli DSWD agad. para mabawasan na ang mga salot sa lipunan.

$ 0.00
4 years ago

People are saying this project is useless. And also they say that why did they waste this tons amount of money to this project instead of giving it to the people during this time of crisis. I don't find it counterproductive that way. This project was already implemented before.

$ 0.00
4 years ago

Agree ako sayo .Lahat po Ng iniimolement Ng pangulo ay my sari sariling pundo .At Yan?Nagawa na Yan Ng Wala pang pandemic .Ang problema Kasi minsan sating mga PINOY Lalo na mga ANTI Jan is pag my sinabi Ang Pangulo at pag di natapos da takdang oras isisisi na Naman sa kanya Kasi walang isang salita. Di natin nagiisip na mas Tayo mga Tao Ang ginagawa Ng mga bagay bakit Hindi matapos tapos Ng pangulo Ang mga Pinangako nyang pagbabago.

$ 0.00
4 years ago

Yes, with or without improvements. There will always be a contradict to the governments' work. The Philippines doesn't have the worst government; it has the worst citizens!

$ 0.00
4 years ago

Our president was given a special power where he can reallocate funds. Under yun ng Bayanihan as one law. Bat di nya muna nilipat yung funds ng beautification ng manila bay sa mas importanteng bagay?

$ 0.00
4 years ago

Why do people always relying on governments budgets? Why can't they plant their own seeds? Producing your own source is an investment or not really an investment it's for your good when the time of crisis you have a magazine by not relying on the government. You know what I am talking about. This is a good improvement of the manila bay rather than giving it to the people. Do you think will there be an improvement in the country if they did? Many people received their "Ayuda", but I'm pretty sure they spent it in non-significant way. People are mad when the country has no improvement.

$ 0.00
4 years ago

Why do people always relying on governments budgets?

The answer is simple. It's our money. Di nila pera yon. Pera natin yon na binabayaran natin thru tax. Kaya may karapatan tayong magreklamo pag di nila ginagastos nang tama.

My grandmother is a market vendor and she always pay tax. Pero dahil sa pandemic nagsara yung palengke na pinagtitindahan nya. Nawalan sya ng trabaho. Wala syang natanggap ni piso sa ipinangako ng gobyerno na tulong.

At isa pa di naman magrereklamo ang tao kung tama yung nakikita nila. Di naman kami tanga na magrereklamo kung walang dahilan.

Nasasabi mo na okay lang kasi di mo masyadong inaanalyze yung sitwasyon. Nasa isip mo lang is gaganda ang Manila Bay. You should look on bigger picture. Kung yung pera na ginastos don is nilagay sa ibang bagay especially on education and health, edi ba mas maraming dulot?

$ 0.00
4 years ago

The project was already implemented before. And every fund has its purpose; You may see it rubbish. I'm sure there is a capital on what you are pointing to. You might not see it now because whatever the government does, you won't recognize it as a fruitful one.

$ 0.00
4 years ago

I can't with this administration anymore. All that fund could have gone into research or for healthcare materials and equipment too. The administration really doesn't think anything through, i swear. Rehabilitate an area? We don't wvwn have tourism right now. We don't have the funds to keep replenishing that and it will just cause a huge problem for the succeeding administrations that will follow 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

$ 0.00
4 years ago

It wasn't a bad idea at all. It's just that it was done at the wrong time.

$ 0.00
4 years ago

Yeah it wasn't a bad idea as long as the government is also prioritizing other important matters in the country. I can't accept the fact that we are facing problems regarding to funds but they manage to spend it on other 'not so' important things.

$ 0.00
4 years ago

Nice article

$ 0.00
4 years ago

I hope so

$ 0.00
4 years ago

ohh my god dude its rediculous and why they threw all the garbages in the beach and i hate this things but finally they cleared it and its looks so clean and this is the mistake by common people like us and they must raised their voice but anyway you raised your voice because you are a good person 😇🥰

$ 0.00
4 years ago

Sub me

$ 0.00
4 years ago

hahaha. White sand daw kase ang solusyon, myghad napag iiwanan na tayo sa progress against pandemya tapos inuna pa toh. tapos anlaki na pati ng utang naten myghad talaga

$ 0.00
4 years ago

You did a very good research here. And I agree with you. Storms and high tide will just wash off those sands, money will be wasted.

$ 0.00
4 years ago

The fudge is this🤦🏻 ganun ba tayo kayaman para mag lagay ng mga artificial stuffs with adverse effects? Di nga masolusyonan problems sa basura as well as sa kahirapan tapos gagastos pa sa mga nonsense na bagay, if the government think that this can help our tourism well help first our people, sana nilinis nalang ng very hard yung manila bay since cleanliness itself can promote tourism, plus hindi ganun kalaki yung budget na maagastos.🤦🏻 grrrrrrr

$ 0.00
4 years ago

You know what, I found that project a kind of wasting the funds. I totally agree with you here. There are lots of problems facing by our country today, why they're eager to beautify the Manila Bay with a white sand? In fact, it will be beautiful in the eyes and for taking photos but the reality is, people will just stepped on it. And if there's a typhoon, for sure it'll wash away from the shore. It's not worth it to spend the funds with, there are lots of people who suffered from poverty especially nowadays. Frontliners need aids too. Instead of spending it for beautification, why not spend it on necessary projects. Why not consider to plant trees or mangroves to help restore the ecosystem in the bay? I'm now starting to wonder if what's our government is up to.

$ 0.00
4 years ago

Why not consider to plant trees or mangroves to help restore the ecosystem in the bay?

You nailed it Miss eommaZel! I don't know if this initiative was studied well before executed. There are many affordable and easy solutions to the problem. They are making it more complicated.

$ 0.00
4 years ago

When I heard the news about the putting of white sand in the Manila bay, I was like "Seriously bruh?!". Your points tackled were on point and what I also thought upon analyzing the news. What a loss. They could've used the fund for other things.

$ 0.00
4 years ago

They don't listen kasi sa tao, especially on experts. Tsaka naiimagine ko din na kung di man aanurin ng tubig yung buhangin na tinambak nila, mapupuno naman yun ng basura at poisonous compounds na maaaring makaapekto sa mga pupunta don.

$ 0.00
4 years ago

Okay sana na pinalinis nila kumuha sila ng mga tao na maglilinis at babayaran nila hindi yung gagamitin nila yung pera para ipamigay sa mga takng walang ginagawa. And sana halip na white sand nilagay nila mas better nagtanim ng puno. Mas better na turuan ng gobyerno maging productive and tao kesa paasahin nila sa kanila. Dahil once na magbigay ang gobyerno sa tao aasa at aasa sila sa gobyerno so kapag wala na sila maibigay madami na ang masasabi ng tao.

$ 0.00
4 years ago

Indeed! Pwede silang magtanim ng mangrove trees around the manila bay. Mangrove trees can help to bring back the natural ecosystem. May nabasa din ako na nakakapagfilter ng maduming tubig ang mangroves. Idunno bat di nila naisip yon. You have also a point na kumuha ng mga tao para tumulong sa paglilinis. Makakatulong pa sila na magkaroon ng trabaho yung mga taong natanggal sa trabaho

$ 0.00
4 years ago

Mas maganda madami sila isiping possible projects hindi lang isa or dalawa para madaming choices kung ano pwedeng gawin para mapaganda ulit ang pilipinas since di na natin maiiwasan madaming mga wala pake sa kalikasan..o kaya madami jan basta tapon ng mga basura plastics na binebenta sa junkshops gawin nila palit sa plastic o ibang kalakal is mga gamit pera o makakain madami ng ganun ngayon sana palawigin nila..oo maaaring sabihin nila tinuturuan ang mga tao na sa pera pera pero kasi yun na yung katotohann na sa pera nalang halos umiikot ang mundo

$ 0.00
4 years ago

I know nothing about your beaches but what I understand they are for recreation and cleaned up. The sand is the finishing touch? What is on the beach now?

The white sand is made of rocks too. Sand = stone. It is indeed expensive to transport and believe me you need a lot of it and each year you need to bring new sand to keep it looking nice. They brought it here among the riverside and after a year it is gone.

What we know sand blows everywhere and it's very hard not to swallow in. It's in your hear, ears, nose, eyes, between your sandwich and bottom. If people know this sand harms health it is not worth the trouble and money just to make it look good for a week or two.

It always beats me why such high amounts are waisted on things which are not a first priority but not a penny is left for health care, education, and elderly people.

$ 0.00
4 years ago

The sand is the finishing touch? What is on the beach now?

They still continue placing the artificial white sands on the shore. But there's no drastic change in the pollution in the water. Floating garbages are still rampant.

It always beats me why such high amounts are waisted on things which are not a first priority but not a penny is left for health care, education, and elderly people.

Indeed :(( They always reiterate that there's no money left to spend but they have the audacity to spend the fund on 'useless things.' I am anguished by my government's action. I hope that they listen to us, people, who are directly hit by the consequences of their actions.

$ 0.00
4 years ago