AN official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Wednesday said the crushed dolomite used in the controversial P389-million beach nourishment project at the Baywalk area along Roxas Boulevard, Manila remains intact despite heavy rains the past several days.
“There is no truth to the news reports that the dolomite sand has already been washed out to the sea,” DENR Undersecretary for Policy, Planning, and International Affairs Jonas R. Leones said in a news statement.
Leones said that even after the heavy rains spawned by the weather disturbance, the crushed dolomite remains intact. Typhoon Quinta also brought rains in some parts of Metro Manila early this week.
News reports earlier quoted the official as saying that “about 10 percent of the dolomite sand in Manila Bay has been swept to sea by the heavy rains.”
He explained that two layers underneath the crushed dolomite are regular black sand. Whenever a strong wave comes in, the black sand is washed in atop the crushed dolomite, Leones said.
He clarified that the washed dolomite “will not be washed out to the sea because of the geoengineering intervention we put on the project.”
“Besides, the project is still with the contractor. They are still liable in conducting measures for the project,” Leones explained. The project was implemented by MAC Builders and Dragonhart Construction joint venture early this year.
The contract for the Manila Bay Beach Nourishment Project is part of the P1.7-billion joint project of the DENR and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) dubbed Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program.
“We stand by our statement that the dolomite sand is not being washed out, rather it is just being washed in. We assure the public that we will protect the people’s money,” he said.