28/05/2022
๐ฃ๐๐ง๐ข๐ก๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ช ๐ก๐๐๐๐ก๐
DUTERTE, MARCOS WALANG PINAG-IBA
History repeats itself; just like the โWhere Asia Wears a Smileโ campaign, the Duterte administration has once again utilized tourism as a political tool to cover up a greater urgency that needed to be addressed - the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. As โ๐ฆ๐ฎ ๐ง๐ผ๐๐ผ๐ผ ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ด: ๐๐ฒ๐ฏ๐๐ป๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ต๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐ง๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐บ ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐๐๐๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฑ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐โ is fast approaching, let us divulge even further how the Duterte administration mirrors that of the Marcos administration.
In September 2020, the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach Project initially opened to the public. Hailed as a popular new attraction situated on the Manila Baywalk and described to be perfect for those wanting to experience the beach atmosphere at the height of travel restrictions, the project, which had been allotted โฑ389M in funding along with an additional โฑ265M for its second phase (Gozum, 2021), had been promised to not only improve the look of the area but also fix many of the problems that the baywalk had encountered over the years. Through this new โbeach enhancementโ and โnourishment,โ the white dolomite sand was also claimed to โprevent soil erosion and floodingโ (Parrocha, 2020). Many other officials such as Harry Roque have also highlighted the importance of mental health that this beach could provide during the pandemic (Aguilar, 2020).
However, controversy and backlash soon arose with regard to this new dolomite beach. The project drew criticism from environmental groups and NGOs for a myriad of reasons. With the initial opening of the beach in late 2020, a time pre-vaccine, wherein the country was averaging over 3,000 cases daily, many have questioned the timing and need for such projects to be done. Organizations such as the Institute of Environmental Science & Meteorology (2020) have called for the use of funds instead to be put towards the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Master Plan while others, such as Senators Risa Hontiveros and Kiko Pangilinan have highlighted the need to use such funds towards COVID-19 relief and coping efforts instead (Ramos, 2020).
Many environmental complaints have also been raised about the project. Though the government refuted such claims and assured the safety and effectiveness of the project during this time, statements such as โNo environmental impact study needed on โmanila nourishmentโโ made by DENR (Cabico, 2020) raised massive concerns about the sustainability of the infamous Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach. Such concerns about the project involved how the introduction of dolomite sand, a foreign substance, can disturb the habitat of marine animals and plants by potentially burying them, lowering the oxygen in the seawater, and blocking their access to sunlight. Such concerns are added to the ongoing problem of polluted water being discharged into the bay causing degradation to its marine environment (Institute of Environmental Science & Meteorology, 2020).
While it is true that some countries have artificial beaches too, notably France and Singapore are examples of countries that have the same project and are using the same materials (Mawis-Aliston, 2020), the implementation in the Philippines may be seen as โfaulty and misleadingโ. For the use of Dolomite sand, it should be noted that it, as a construction material, while considered a non-toxic substance has been linked to an increase in minor respiratory symptoms (such as regular cough, phlegm, wheezing, productive cough, and shortness of breath.) by a study published on the Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal back in 2012 (Mawis-Aliston, 2020). The study itself was not able to link long-term exposure to dolomite to significant respiratory illness, with the study recommending further research to be conducted (Abedini et al., 2012). Furthermore, it should be noted that such a project may not be suitable for the Philippines as it is a country known for its frequent typhoons. As observed during the aftermath of typhoon Rolly which resulted in black sand being washed into the artificial beach (Panganiban-Perez, 2020) and the dolomite sand being needed to be reapplied. Rather than using the funds for the repair of the baywalk, the government should heed the advice of Dr. Laura David, the director of the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute, of prioritizing the water sanitation of Manila Bay instead of beautification efforts (Gonzales, 2020). 2 years after this advice, the baywalkโs water has an average f***l coliform bacteria level of 21,100 most probable number (mpn) per 100 milliliter (ml) which is far from Environmental Secretary Roy Cimatuโs stated standard f***l coliform bacteria level of 100 mpn/100 ml for swimming (Teves, 2022). Indeed, focus on sanitation efforts need to be prioritized.
Considering all these factors, the project is indeed controversial and has captured the concerns of the citizens. A beautification project pushed through during the middle of the health crisis. A move that clearly showed the focus of the government which is aesthetics over the immediate medical solutions and concrete actions. As Dr. David stated, โKung maraming pera ang Pilipinas, lahat Pwede Gawinโ (Gonzales, 2020). The Philippines does not have unlimited funds, its precious resources and government effort should be focused on other projects that will benefit the country.
Sa munting pagsasama-sama, ating matutuklasan ang katotohanan. Ngayon na, tumindig na, mamuna na.
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