Scientists from the University of the Philippines (UP) are pushing for the planting of mangroves in the shorelines of Manila Bay rather than overlaying is with crushed dolomite “white sand” to help solve environmental issues in the area. “The use of dolomite as a substitute for white sand only means that the Manila Bay rehabilitation did not go through the right process or was studied well. Sinabi ni Health Undersecretary at Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire na base sa pag-aaral at medical literature, ang dolomite kapag nalanghap ng tao ay may masamang epekto sa respiratory system. The furor has been over the use of "fine white sand," which turned out to be crushed dolomite rocks from Cebu, to beautify a stretch of the Manila Bay … The extraction, processing, hauling and transportation of the dolomite are covered by permits issued by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB). It must be a concerted effort by everyone living in its watersheds and those using the bay,” it said. It said that even with a presence of a breakwater, or an artificial structure built for protection from waves, elevated seas and huge waves brought by weather disturbances can still penetrate the baywalk. ... Another issue to be addressed is the resettlement of informal settlers around the esteros and in the Pasig River who contributes solid wastes in the waters of the bay. MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday warned that the inhalation of crushed dolomite rock – the material used in the artificial white sand dumped along the Manila Bay – can cause respiratory issues. Alcoy is a fifth-class municipality with a population of 16,979 in the 2015 census, which makes it No. The groups also pointed out that it is a violation of a law that requires Manila Bay to be preserved as a historical landmark. At most, it is a beautification effort that is costly and temporary," the UP MSI said. Barrit has pointed to the destruction caused by the dolomite to the seabed off Alcoy and Dalaguete. MANILA — Crushed dolomite can cause respiratory issues, the Department of Health warned Monday, days after the environment department began dumping artificial white sand nearby Manila Bay. Gwendolyn Garcia immediately issued a cease-and-desist order banning further extraction, processing and exportation of the mineral for the Manila Bay project. Sestoso expressed the hope that the matter would be settled soon. Arturo Barrit, an official of the Associated Labor Unions and someone very familiar with the mine and its effects on the environment, describes the dolomite that is being shipped to Manila as “a byproduct of the high-grade dolomite,” which “is used for beach rehabilitation and landscaping to add aesthetic value” to a property (Facebook post, September 5). He also clarified that the “white sand” is dolomite, a sedimentary rock which, Antiporda said, will not affect Manila Bay’s ecosystem. The dolomite mine or quarry site in Alcoy, Cebu, from where the crushed dolomite came, is the biggest dolomite quarry site in the Philippines, according to Wikipedia. LOOK: Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the DENR released the results of... With environmental advocates strongly opposing the ₱389-million beautification project, the government assured the program was thoroughly reviewed before implementation. So, is this material really suitable for a bay walk? Hence, continuously replacing the sand will be expensive and will not contribute to improving water quality in the Bay,” the institute added, noting that erosion threat and poor water quality are the two major problems Manila Bay is currently facing. Hardly any; a half-kilometer of white sand which, in fact, will be easily eroded away by the next strong typhoon. The video report by dzBB’s Jhomar Apresto Saturday on location at the bay showed that garbage could be seen strewn all over the beach. Copyright © The Manila Times – All Rights Reserved. “There was no public consultation, no environmental clearance, and premature issuance of the environmental impact assessment, and it’s clear the plan was haphazardly done,” she added. According to the DOH only dolomite in dust form can be an irritant and that the size of the dolomite sands in the Manila Bay project is 2 mm to 5mm which is 100 x bigger than dust. Akbayan knocked out of Manila Bay dolomite case. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has acknowledged that the beautification project is not part of the Manila Bay Sustainable Development Master Plan. November 20, 2020 November 20, ... Akbayan stressed that the “dolomite white sand beach” in Manila Bay violated the mandamus as it will not rehabilitate and restore the area. Manila Bay has already been beset by long-standing environmental problems, such as pollution and resource exploitation. Leones said the agency halted the overlaying of “white sand” in the Manila Bay due to some problems with their private contractor in Cebu where they sourced the dolomite. THE year 2020 posed a lot of serious problems to a number of companies, businesses and industries. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said it would fill Manila Bay’s shore with white sand, which are actually refined dolomite rocks sourced from Cebu province. “Therefore [it] does not get suspended in air. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 1)— The overlaying of sand with crushed dolomite boulders along a portion of Manila Bay will not help solve the environmental problems and issues hounding the area, according to the University of the Philippines’ Marine Science Institute. Scientists warn its dolomite sand could harm people's health and marine wildlife. As the dolomite — high grade and byproduct alike — is transferred to the ships and barges, “the particles or fragments hauled via the open belt conveyor are carried by the wind flow” and find their way to the seabed. However, hours after the announcement, the project drew the public ire. Various groups have criticized the use of dolomite sand in the bay’s rehabilitation, saying the money for the project should have been allotted instead for the coronavirus pandemic response. While PMSC’s and DMC’s operations are covered with permits from the MGB these permits do not cover the mining, processing and transportation of the dolomite “byproduct” to the local market, Manila Bay included, according to Garcia. Metro Manila (The Philippine Patriot, September 2) — On September 2, the Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR) unveiled WHITE SAND FIASCO: Dolomite and the Issues about the Manila Bay Makeover - The Philippine Patriot Barrit, a diver himself, said he has seen seagrasses, corals and even turtle shells covered with hardened dolomitic particles, several kilometers from where the hauling takes place. The agency has been getting a lot of flak for using white sand from crushed dolomite rocks. Mishandling of Dacera case shows Sinas’ incompetence, What post-pandemic courses and workforce will look like. The Health Department earlier said that the dolomite dumped along the stretch in Roxas Boulevard cannot cause adverse health effects, since the product is not small enough to be inhaled. In a statement on Wednesday, the UP MSI warned that the use of the controversial dolomite sand— a project in line with the bay’s rehabilitation program — may pose possible health risks and threats to the marine environment. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 1)— The overlaying of sand with crushed dolomite boulders along a portion of Manila Bay will not help solve the environmental problems and issues … Governor Garcia thinks not. The Dolomite Mining Corp. (DMC) has a mineral production sharing agreement while the Philippine Mining Service Corp. (PMSC) has a mineral processing permit. “Sea level rise in our tropical seas yield the highest rates in the world, about three to four times more than the global average of 3.3 mm/yr,” the UP MSI said. The Supreme Court has denied the petition filed by the Akbayan Citizens’ Action Party seeking to intervene in the Manila Bay case, pleading with the tribunal to cite the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in contempt for dumping dolomite sand on Manila Bay. The latter, a subsidiary of JFE Mineral Co. Ltd. of Japan, buys and processes all the mined dolomite. Other than the dolomite mine, there seems little other economic activity in the town, with subsistence farming and fishing being the main sources of livelihood (Wikipedia). Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 1)— The overlaying of sand with crushed dolomite boulders along a portion of Manila Bay will not help solve the environmental problems and issues hounding the area, according to the University of the Philippines’ Marine Science Institute. The dolomite mine or quarry site in Alcoy, Cebu, from where the crushed dolomite came, is the biggest dolomite quarry site in the Philippines, according to Wikipedia. “Ang dolomite po is a form of a rock na meron pong mga sinasabi sa mga pag-aaral na kapag na-inhale natin ito mga tao, may mga adverse reactions, respiratory mainly,” Health Undersecretary Maria … The primary applications of dolomite are “auxiliary materials for iron and steel, plate glass for construction materials, automotive glass, fertilizer and soil conditioner,” according to the JFE website. (UPDATED) Groups urge the DENR to consider a mangrove restoration project in Manila Bay, which has long-term benefits, instead of the costly white sand project which stands to harm the environment Gwendolyn Garcia immediately issued a cease-and-desist order banning further extraction, processing and exportation of the mineral for the Manila Bay project. Official Statement of the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UPMSI) on the recent rehabilitation... Aside from the environmental impact, the UP MSI said that the finer particles of dolomite can be “problematic”— with prolonged dust inhalation seen to cause chronic health effects to the public. Among the trash seen in the vicinity were plastic bottles and pieces of Styrofoam. The Department of Health reported 1,906 new coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases on Sunday, pushing the total to 487,690. He noted that they cannot extract sand from the country’s coastal areas as it is prohibited by law. When it became known that the crushed dolomite was from Cebu, Gov. It also stated that dolomite in its bulk state is not a known health hazard. IF you can’t beat them, join them. CNN and the CNN logo are registered marks of Cable News Network, Inc., displayed with permission. The rehabilitation project that started two years ago has drawn controversy over its cost and environmental concerns. Alcoy and neighboring Dalaguete, which is also affected by the dolomite quarry activities, do receive some benefits — direct and indirect employment, and recipient of various livelihood programs, among others — from the mine, but are these benefits commensurate to the destruction caused by the operations? But the DOH later clarified that the dolomite used in the white sand project in Manila Bay is 2 to 5 millimeters in size, 100 times bigger than dust. © 2015 Nine Media Corp. CNN name, logo and all associated elements ™ and © 2015 Cable News Network. Moreover, occupational health and safety standards for workers, and precautionary measures for the containment of possible dust formation are being implemented,” the department statement said. RELATED: Funding for Manila Bay 'white sand' can't be realigned for COVID-19 response – Roque, The UP MSI stressed that there should be “no shortcuts” in the rehabilitation program for Manila Bay, adding that the aesthetic initiative is — at most— a “beautification effort that is costly and temporary.”, “The clean-up of Manila Bay will be a long and arduous task. Staff Report September 20, 2020. Budget for the project was approved prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. Akbayan said the “dolomite white sand beach” in Manila Bay violated the mandamus as it will not rehabilitate and restore the area. These risks include discomfort in the chest, shortness of breath, and coughing. Local fisherfolk have been complaining, writes Barrit. This once useless material which was given away for free to local government units and private individuals now has great commercial value, Barrit writes in his Facebook post. SUDDENLY, the word “dolomite” is on everyone’s lips because of the national government’s Manila Bay “beautification” project. EO #25 says it was the September 5 news story "in national and local newspapers" about the controversy in Manila. 39 out of Cebu’s 44 in terms of population. COVID-19 vaccines may be available for commercial use beginning year end, FDA says, PH includes UAE, Hungary in travel ban due to new COVID-19 variant, Pfizer assures affordable vaccines for PH, LGUs advised to only buy COVID-19 vaccines for 50% of population. The use of crushed dolomite sand will not help solve the environmental problems in Manila Bay. If not as workers, then as students. “These are achieved with government interventions, social and community behavioral change, and legislations and policy guidelines implemented.”. While the dolomite byproduct is increasingly being used for beach rehabilitation and landscaping, is it the right priority for the national government, pandemic or not, to spend millions of pesos on a beautification project? If at all, what was a surprise about the list of “presidentiables” for 2022 cited in the past column is the noninclusion of the... America first or Trump first, US civil war? When it became known that the crushed dolomite was from Cebu, Gov. The hot issue being debated upon these days is the beautification project of Manila Bay by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. On September 2, the Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR) unveiled its plan to form a 500-meter-long artificial white sand beach along the Roxas Boulevard coast of Manila Bay. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All rights reserved. The governor accused the mining firms of not only not having secured such permit but of “continuing to refuse to pay the province,” referring to the “10 percent of proceeds [to be remitted] to the barangay (village), local government unit and the provincial government” (SunStar Cebu, Sept. 11, 2020), for a total of 30 percent. The official Facebook account of the town announced that he would resume his duties as mayor effective September 10, 19 days after he was confirmed positive and two days after Governor Garcia issued her order. The Manila Bay “white beach" project is currently on its second phase of development. ... adding the issue now becomes a “factual one not ordinarily entertained by the Court. There was no … 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. By continuing to use this website without disabling cookies in your web browser, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. READ ALSO: Why Cebu Banned Dolomite Mining – Manila Bay White Sand Issue Meanwhile, the Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said the project was only P28 million, contrary to the reports saying that the project cost P389 million . The group claims dolomite is hazardous to health and the environment. The particular dolomite from Cebu is used as raw material in the manufacture of steel, glass and fertilizer in Japan and Southeast Asia. The institute explained that dolomite sand grains are expected to erode, given the conditions in coastal parts of Metro Manila during storm seasons. DENR ensures safety of dolomite sand used for Manila Bay rehabilitation. MANILA — Several environmental groups issued a position paper on Tuesday citing the negative impacts of the government’s decision to dump crushed dolomite on Manila Bay as part of a beautification program. Manila Bay’s dolomite beach was littered with garbage after the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses. As a tourism advocate, Id like to chime in on the many issues raised on this project. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Funding for Manila Bay 'white sand' can't be realigned for COVID-19 response – Roque. It is an integral part of the integrated coastal zone management aimed at coastal defense of the Manila Bay Rehabilitation. A recently-published report by the Environment Department also showed that the dolomite sand in Manila Bay is not classified as hazardous, as tests done on its samples did not exceed the limits set in the agency’s Revised Procedures and Standards for the Management of Hazardous Wastes. THE Philippine Red Cross (PRC) will begin conducting pilot saliva tests for coronavirus disease-2019 (Covid-19) on Monday, an official said. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that based on studies, a person may suffer adverse effects from inhaling dolomite dust. The Supreme Court mandamus prescribed the rehabilitation of Manila Bay which meant removal of solid waste, dredging the toxic silt and ensuring that the Bay will henceforth be free of solid and liquid pollution. But instead of a slap on the wrist, Duterte congratulated (retired Philippine Army general and) DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu for bringing crushed dolomite turned artificial sand to a crowd of people who weren’t able to practice social distancing while waiting for the Manila Bay beach to open. It has been in operation since the 1980s. The Department of Health (DoH) said dolomite, which was used in the restoration of the Manila Bay shoreline, might cause health problems such as respiratory diseases. The chest, shortness of dolomite sand manila bay issue, and coughing, displayed with permission integral part the... 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