Manila Dolomite Beach

{{Redirect|Dolomite Beach|other uses|Dolomite (disambiguation){{!}}Dolomite}}

{{Infobox landform

| name = Manila Dolomite Beach

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| type = Beach

| photo = Manila Dolomite Beach 2023-11-16.jpg

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| photo_alt =Aerial view of the beach with the tree-lined Roxas Boulevard to the right

| photo_caption = The beach in November 2023

| map = Philippines City of Manila

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| location = Manila, Philippines

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| coordinates = {{Coord|14|34|27.60|N|120|58|35.58|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}

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| part_of =

| water_bodies = Manila Bay

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| length = {{convert|500|m|ft|sp=us}}

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| free_label_1 = Creation

| free_data_1 = 2020–2021

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Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach, commonly known as Dolomite Beach, is an artificial beach along Manila Bay in Manila, Philippines created through the process of beach nourishment. It is part of an overall integrated coastal zone management aimed at coastal defense of the Manila Bay Rehabilitation project. The beach was planned to cover a total length of 900 meters of the Manila Baywalk. The beach was first opened from September 19 to 20, 2020, but was closed for expansion. The artificial beach was declared complete in October 2022.

Background

Dolomite Beach is a project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). It is a part of the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program launched by Secretary Roy Cimatu in January 2019.{{Cite news |last=Subingsubing |first=Krixia |date=September 4, 2020 |title=Critics see red in Manila Bay's 'white sand' makeover |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/337793/critics-see-red-in-manila-bays-white-sand-makeover |access-date=September 19, 2020}} 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.{{Cite news |last=Perez-Rubio |first=Bella |date=September 7, 2020 |title=Palace: P389-M Manila Bay 'white sand' project approved prior to pandemic |work=The Philippine Star |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/09/07/2040714/palace-p389-m-manila-bay-white-sand-project-approved-prior-pandemic |access-date=September 19, 2020}} Works on the project began in August 2020, when the government issued a permit to Philippine Mining Service Corporation to transport crushed dolomite from Alcoy, Cebu to Manila.{{Cite news |date=September 5, 2020 |title=3.5k metric tons of dolomite for Manila Bay from Alcoy, Cebu |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/338085/3-5k-metric-tons-of-dolomite-for-manila-bay-from-alcoy-cebu |access-date=September 7, 2020}} Dolomite mining operations were suspended in September 2020.{{Cite news |date=September 25, 2020 |title=Environment chief suspends dolomite mining ops in Cebu source of Manila Bay 'white sand' |work=ABS-CBN News |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/25/20/environment-chief-suspends-dolomite-mining-ops-in-cebu-source-of-manila-bay-white-sand |access-date=September 25, 2020}}

Beach

Dolomite Beach was created through the process of beach nourishment, which is a common practice in the creation of beaches around the world.{{Cite news |date=November 2, 2020 |title=Impact of the Use of Dolomite in Beach Nourishment in Manila Bay |work=BusinessMirror |url=https://mgb.gov.ph/2015-05-13-02-02-11/mgb-news/890-impact-of-the-use-of-dolomite-in-beach-nourishment-in-manila-bay |access-date=December 11, 2020}} Upon the extraction of debris in the {{convert|500|m|ft|sp=us}} portion of the baywalk from the Manila Yacht Club to the United States Embassy in Manila, the project proponents dumped two layers of ordinary sand before overlaying it with crushed dolomite.{{Cite news |last=Mayuga |first=Jonathan L. |date=September 13, 2020 |title=Beach nourishment project is a work in progress–DENR |work=BusinessMirror |publisher=Mines and Geosciences Bureau |url=https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/11/02/beach-nourishment-project-is-a-work-in-progress-denr/ |access-date=December 11, 2020}}{{Cite web |last=Mendiola |first=Ritchel |title=DENR Insists Manila Bay 'White Sand' Project Safe |url=https://www.asianjournal.com/philippines/across-the-islands/denr-insists-manila-bay-white-sand-project-safe/ |access-date=January 26, 2021 |website=Asian Journal|date=September 9, 2020 }}

File:Manila Bay beach front (Roxas Boulevard, Manila; 09-19-2020) wiki.jpg

The beach was first opened to the public from September 19 to 20, 2020.{{Cite news |date=September 19, 2020 |title=Physical distancing not observed during Manila Bay 'white sand beach' opening |work=GMA News |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/756320/physical-distancing-not-observed-during-manila-bay-white-sand-beach-opening/story/ |access-date=September 19, 2020}}{{Cite news |date=September 19, 2020 |title=Look: Crowd gathers at Manila Bay's new 'white beach' |work=CNN Philippines |url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/9/19/manila-bay-white-beach-crowd.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922040410/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/9/19/manila-bay-white-beach-crowd.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 22, 2020 |access-date=September 20, 2020}} Afterwards, it was closed again for expansion. 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 would take one to two months to complete.{{Cite news |last=Chavez |first=Chito |date=January 17, 2021 |title=DENR on track to complete Manila Bay rehab project |work=Manila Bulletin |url=https://mb.com.ph/2021/01/17/denr-on-track-to-complete-manila-bay-rehab-project/ |access-date=January 22, 2021}}

After the onslaught of Typhoon Vamco (Ulysses) in November, the beach was dumped with garbage, with the DENR denying reports that the dolomite was washed away, saying that black sand was washed in to the beach.{{Cite news |date=November 12, 2020 |title=Watch: Dolomite beach survives Typhoon Ulysses |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/11/13/20/watch-dolomite-beach-survives-typhoon-ulysses |access-date=April 13, 2021 |work=ABS-CBN News |language=en}} After a series of typhoons in late 2020, the DENR replenished the beach with a new batch of crushed dolomite rock.{{Cite news |last=Calvelo |first=George |date=December 18, 2020 |title=Workers replenish dolomite in Manila Bay |language=en |work=ABS-CBN News |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/multimedia/photo/12/18/20/workers-replenish-dolomite-in-manila-bay |access-date=April 13, 2021}}

A new coat of dolomite sand was laid over the beach in April 2021.{{Cite news |title=New coat of dolomite sand poured over a portion of Manila Bay |language=en |work=GMA News |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/metro/783640/new-coat-of-dolomite-sand-poured-over-at-manila-bay/story/ |access-date=April 13, 2021}}

On July 18, 2021, the beach was reopened to the public without an announcement.{{Cite news |last=Pascual |first=Jekki |date=July 18, 2021 |title=Dolomite beach sa Maynila, sorpresang binuksan sa publiko |language=tl |trans-title=Dolomite beach in Manila, had a surprise public opening |work=ABS-CBN News |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/18/21/dolomite-beach-sa-maynila-sorpresang-binuksan-sa-publiko |access-date=September 29, 2021}} By September 2021, an entrance arch was installed bearing the name of the site: "Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach".{{Cite news |last=Malasig |first=Jeline |date=September 27, 2021 |title=Of spaces and cemeteries: Observations as Manila Bay dolomite beach gets entrance arch |work=InterAksyon |url=https://interaksyon.philstar.com/trends-spotlights/2021/09/27/200940/of-spaces-and-cemeteries-observations-as-manila-bay-dolomite-beach-gets-entrance-arch/ |access-date=September 29, 2021}} The beach was opened again on October 17, 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.philstar.com/nation/2021/10/18/2134876/denr-overwhelmed-public-reception-dolomite-beach|title=DENR 'overwhelmed' by public reception of Dolomite Beach|website=The Philippine STAR }} The beach was reopened again on June 12, 2022, after it was closed again for expansion.{{Cite web|url= https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/6/1/Manila-Bay-dolomite-beach-reopens-June-12.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220531221603/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/6/1/Manila-Bay-dolomite-beach-reopens-June-12.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= May 31, 2022 |title= DENR: Manila's dolomite beach reopening on June 12 |publisher=CNN Philippines |date=June 1, 2022 |access-date=June 1, 2022 }}{{Cite web |last=Cabuenas |first=Jon Viktor D. |date=June 12, 2022 |title=Manila Bay dolomite beach reopens to public |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/834725/manila-bay-dolomite-beach-reopens-to-public/story/ |access-date=June 13, 2022 |website=GMA News Online |language=en}}

In October 2022, the DENR declared the beach complete with no budget allocated for any potential development given for 2023.{{cite news |last1=Rita |first1=Joviland |title=DENR: ‘Dolomite beach’ complete, no budget for 2023 |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/847689/denr-dolomite-beach-complete-no-budget-for-2023/story/ |access-date=8 June 2024 |work=GMA News |date=11 October 2022 |language=en}}

= Design =

The beach nourishment project was carried out by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in coordination with the DENR and is a part of the Manila Bay Rehabilitation. The beach had a total planned length of {{convert|900|m|ft|sp=us}}, starting from the tip of the United States Embassy in Manila, and a width of {{convert|60|m|ft|sp=us}} 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.{{Cite news |title=ANNEX B 19O00061 |publisher=Department of Public Works and Highways |url=https://www.dpwh.gov.ph/dpwh/sites/default/files/webform/civil_works/bid_bulletin/ANNEX%20B%2019O00061.pdf |access-date=December 11, 2020}} 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. The proposed breakwater will also protect low-lying areas in Manila, Pasay, Las Piñas and Parañaque.{{Cite news |last=Gonzales |first=Cathrine |date=October 29, 2020 |title=How to stop wash-out of Manila Bay 'white sand'? DPWH eyes building breakwater |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1353875/how-to-stop-strong-waves-from-washing-out-manila-bay-white-sand-dpwh-eyes-building-a-breakwater |access-date=November 4, 2020}}

Impact

File:Manila Bay beach - gov't officials inspection sand (Roxas Boulevard, Manila; 09-19-2020).jpg

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). The Department of Health released a statement that the use of dolomite is not a known health hazard.{{Cite news |last=Hallare |first=Katrina |date=September 9, 2020 |title=Dolomite in Manila Bay 'white beach' won't cause health risks, DOH now says |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1333410/dolomite-in-manila-bay-white-beach-wont-cause-health-risks-doh-now-says |access-date=September 19, 2020}}

= Environment =

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has maintained that the dolomite used to create the beach poses no harm to Manila Bay's ecosystem.{{Cite news |date=September 7, 2020 |title=Kalikasan writ eyed against Manila Bay white sand project |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1332112/kalikasan-writ-eyed-against-manila-beach |access-date=September 7, 2020}} The laying of dolomite has been suspected as a possible cause for a fish kill on September 17, 2020, near the waters of the Baseco Compound.{{Cite news |date=September 17, 2020 |title=Dead fish in Manila Bay surprises Baseco residents |work=Manila Bulletin |url=https://mb.com.ph/2020/09/17/dead-fish-in-manila-bay-surprises-baseco-residents/ |access-date=September 18, 2020}} The DENR countered the claim, saying that the fish kill happened {{convert|5|km|mi|sp=us}} 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.{{Cite news |date=September 17, 2020 |title=Dolomite in bay project not related to fish kill incident: DENR |work=Mindanao Daily Mirror |agency=Philippine News Agency |url=https://mindanaodailymirror.ph/Main/full_article/dolomite-in-bay-project-not-related-to-fish-kill-incident-denr11028 |access-date=September 20, 2020}}

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.{{Cite book |last=Dean |first=Robert G. |title=Environmentally Friendly Coastal Protection |publisher=SpringerLink |year=2005 |isbn=1-4020-3299-4 |series=NATO Science Series |volume=53 |pages=25–40 |chapter=Beach Nourishment: Benefits, Theory and Case Examples |doi=10.1007/1-4020-3301-X_2 |access-date=November 20, 2020 |chapter-url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F1-4020-3301-X_2}}{{Cite web |title=Development and Evaluation of a Sea Turtle-Deflecting Hopper Dredge Draghead - Storming Media |url=http://www.stormingmedia.us/69/6983/A698382.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629153848/http://www.stormingmedia.us/69/6983/A698382.html |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |access-date=December 21, 2010}} When the beach was first opened to the public, a flock of egrets were seen at the beach area.{{Cite news |date=September 20, 2020 |title=Egrets drop by Manila Bay during 'White Sands' project opening |work=GMA News |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/metro/756364/egrets-drop-by-manila-bay-during-white-sands-project-opening/story/ |access-date=December 22, 2020}}

= Water quality =

In February 2021, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources reported significant drop of fecal coliform level in the waters around the beach. Fecal coliform level in Manila Bay dropped from 7.16 million most probable number per 100 milliliters (mpn/100ml) in 2020 to 4.87 million mpn/100ml in February 2021, while the fecal coliform level around the beach has dropped from 2.2 million mpn/100ml last January 4 to 523,000 mpn/100 ml on February 8, based on the average count from three monitoring stations.{{Cite news |last=Yumol |first=David Tristan |date=February 18, 2021 |title=DENR records significant drop in Manila Bay's coliform level |work=CNN Philippines |url=https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/2/18/DENR-records-significant-drop-in-Manila-Bay-s-coliform-level.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219042007/https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/2/18/DENR-records-significant-drop-in-Manila-Bay-s-coliform-level.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 19, 2021 |access-date=April 8, 2021}}{{Cite news |date=February 18, 2021 |title=DENR records further decrease in Manila Bay coliform level |work=Philippine News Agency |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1131068 |access-date=April 8, 2021}}

By June 2022, two water quality monitoring stations near the beach registered lower fecal coliform levels – from 7,300 MPN/100mL to 1,700 MPN/100mL, and from 10,200 MPN/100mL to 2,100 MPN/100mL, respectively.{{Cite news |date=July 16, 2022 |title= DENR cites significant improvement in Manila Bay water quality |work=Philippine News Agency |url= https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1179088 |access-date=July 16, 2022}}

The government discourages swimming on waters off the beach, however, as the waters' fecal coliform level is still far from the ideal 100 mpn/100ml.{{cite news |last1=Legaspi |first1=Zeus |title=Manila mayor says no swimming at Dolomite, Baseco beaches |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1925063/manila-mayor-says-no-swimming-at-dolomite-baseco-beaches |access-date=8 June 2024 |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=2 April 2024 |language=en}}

Reception

File:Entrance to the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach along Roxas Boulevard is packed with visitors on March 19, 2023.jpg

File:Roxas Boulevard, Ermita from air - Dolomite Beach (Manila; 01-09-2023) (cropped).jpg

The project has received support from the Manila city government led by Mayor Isko Moreno.{{Cite news |last=Moaje |first=Marita |date=September 10, 2020 |title='New' Manila Bay to attract tourists, investors: Isko |work=Philippine News Agency |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1115063 |access-date=September 19, 2020}} President Rodrigo Duterte also voiced his support to the project. Likewise, Secretary Roy Cimatu, seeing the throngs of people during the September 2020 opening, said that the project received the overwhelming support of the general public.{{Cite news |date=September 22, 2020 |title=Cimatu Elated by Overwhelming Support From PRRD and the Public for Manila Bay Beach Nourishment Project |url=https://www.denr.gov.ph/index.php/news-events/press-releases/1826-cimatu-elated-by-overwhelming-support-from-prrd-and-the-public-for-manila-bay-beach-nourishment-project |access-date=December 11, 2020 |publisher=Department of Environment and Natural Resources}} On its partial opening in September, people crowded the beach and the nearby area that physical distancing were not properly observed.{{Cite news |last=Aguilar |first=Krissy |date=September 21, 2020 |title=Palace: Manila Bay crowding for 'white beach' proof that rehab project a 'right decision' |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1337984/fwd-palace-people-flockingpalace-manila-bay-crowding-for-white-beach-proof-that-rehab-project-a-right-decision-to-manila-bay-proof-that-rehab-project-was-right-decision |access-date=December 12, 2020}} 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.

However, the project received criticism from activists, environmentalists, and heritage conservationist groups.{{Cite news |title=Philippines: Artificial white sandy beach could spell eco disaster |publisher=DW |url=https://www.dw.com/en/philippines-artificial-white-sandy-beach-could-spell-eco-disaster/a-55397340 |access-date=December 11, 2020}} Among those targeted by the criticisms were the timing of the project, which was implemented amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and concerns of adverse environmental effects from the laying of dolomite on the polluted Manila Bay.{{Cite news |last=Sabillo |first=Kristine |date=September 8, 2020 |title=Manila Bay sands project violates National Cultural Heritage Act, other laws - environmental groups |work=ABS-CBN News |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/08/20/manila-bay-sands-project-violates-national-cultural-heritage-act-other-laws-environmental-groups |access-date=September 19, 2020}}

= Use of public funds =

Three senators also voiced their opposition to the project: Nancy Binay, Risa Hontiveros and Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan. Binay cited the lack of public consultation on 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 instead.{{Cite news |last=Ramos |first=Marlon |date=September 7, 2020 |title=3 senators tell DENR: Stop Manila Bay 'white beach' project now |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1332411/3-senators-tell-denr-stop-manila-bay-white-beach-project-now |access-date=December 12, 2020}} Akbayan filed a case with the Supreme Court to penalize the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for pursuing the project, but the petition was junked.{{Cite news |date=November 19, 2020 |title=SC won't sanction DENR for dolomite project, sees no violation of 2008 order to save Manila Bay |work=CNN Philippines |url=https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/11/19/supreme-court-denr-manila-bay-dolomite-.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119111709/https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/11/19/supreme-court-denr-manila-bay-dolomite-.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 19, 2020 |access-date=December 12, 2020}}

When asked about the criticism that the money spent on the project could have been better spent on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said that he did not "buy that argument" because caring for the people's mental health is also needed, pointing out that if people are to visit the beach, the mental health effects on them cannot be quantified.{{Cite news |last=Aguilar |first=Krissy |date=September 7, 2020 |title='White-sand' Manila Bay to benefit Filipinos' mental health – Roque |language=en |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1332269/white-sand-manila-bay-to-benefit-filipinos-mental-health-roque |access-date=April 13, 2021}}

= Laying of crushed dolomite =

The University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (MSI) disapproved of the laying of crushed dolomite sand for the creation of the beach, saying that this will not improve the water quality in Manila Bay and that a continuous replenishment of the sand would be expensive.{{Cite news|last=Antonio|first=Josiah|date=October 1, 2020|title=UP marine scientists explain why dumping dolomite can't solve Manila Bay problems|language=en|work=ABS-CBN News|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/10/01/20/up-marine-scientists-explain-why-dumping-dolomite-cant-solve-manila-bay-problems|access-date=April 13, 2021}} The UP Institute of Biology said that using mangroves instead of crushed dolomite rock would be better for rehabilitation, adding that the International Union for Conservation of Nature prefers this as an effective nature-based solution.{{Cite news|title=Mangroves better than dolomite for Manila Bay rehab –UP biologists|language=en|work=GMA News|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/759251/mangroves-better-than-dolomite-for-manila-bay-rehab-up-biologists/story/|access-date=April 13, 2021}} Undersecretary Antiporda did not agree with the suggestion of the UP Marine Science Institute, calling them paid hacks, and that being from a state university the state should not be paying them. Antiporda said that the government has paid UP "half a billion pesos" for consultations. Laura David, the director of UP MSI, said that the university charged the government just over 364 million pesos. Antiporda later apologized for his statement, calling UP's criticism "painful"; David accepted Antiporda's apology, and called the back and forth a "misunderstanding".{{Cite news|title='Bayaran kayo': DENR exec slams UP experts for criticizing Manila Baywalk project|language=en|work=Rappler|url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/denr-statement-up-experts-criticizing-manila-baywalk-project|access-date=April 13, 2021}}