The Manila Bay Beach Nourishment Project

Manila Bay is the center of economic activity in the Philippines. Due to various
developments around the bay, major environmental problems arise thus, causing Manila
Bay to undergo a beach nourishment project. The Climate Technology Centre and
Network defined that beach nourishment is a process by which sediments (usually sand)
are replaced from sources taken outside of the eroding beach. The Mines and Geosciences
Bureau (MGB) noted that “beach nourishment does not stop erosion, rather, it merely
prevents erosion for a short time.” The Department of Natural Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) should consider trying a different approach to be able to propose a
permanent solution to the environmental issues in Manila Bay.

Dolomite is the mineral used in the beach nourishment process for it is abundant
in the country, and is claimed to be not hazardous to health. According to the Department
of Health, “Dolomite in its bulk state is not a known health hazard and dolomite in dust
form, like any other dust particles, can lead to symptoms such as chest discomfort,
shortness of breath, and coughing for this is our body’s normal reaction to irritants.”
However, the process poses a threat to marine life and other forms of animals that
depends on the Bayside for a living. “Among those who will be affected by this project
are migratory and resident birds who use the whole stretch of the bay as a feeding,
resting, roosting, and breeding area”. (San Juan, 2020). To ensure success in the
rehabilitation project, the University of the Philippines Institute of Biology suggested that
to be able to combat the existing environmental problems, a nature-based solution should
be done such as rehabilitating mangroves. Rehabilitating mangroves is considered the
best solution to the environmental issues of Manila Bay. “Having ecologically healthy
mangroves will also help lessen heavy metal contamination a condition that beset Manila
Bay for a long time” (University of the Philippines Institute of Biology, n.d.). Through
mangroves, the objectives of this project would be attained in a cheaper and more cost-
effective. Moreover, not only this nature-based solution solves the environmental
problems it also contributes to the biodiversity present in the Bay. It serves as a nursery
grounds for marine life thus it gives hope for the reformation of the marine environment
near the coastlines.

The project has good objectives, but it does not address any of the rehabilitation
phases issued by the Supreme Court. "Experts stated that it would not address the root
causes of the problems in Manila Bay: garbage, high levels of fecal matter, urbanization,
sea-level rise, land subsidence, and shallow-water hypoxia (depletion of oxygen) that
causes fish kills" (Nonato, 2020). It is recommended that the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources consider the suggestions of the University of the Philippines
Institute of Biology.

References:

GOVPH. IB statement regarding dolomite in Manila Bay. UP Biology.

https://biology.science.upd.edu.ph/index.php/ib-statement-regarding-dolomite-in-
manila-
bay/?fbclid=IwAR16AO9wSmz9Lp4zsSHs1Hyt4jUPzCUR9gOgCeY3cN0uT_kQ2BJ2c
LAzv-Q.

STAFF REPORT. (2020, October 11). PH-based research institute favors mangroves over
white sand for Manila Bay. The Filipino Times. https://filipinotimes.net/latest-
news/2020/10/11/ph-based-research-institute-favors-mangroves-over-white-sand-
for-manila-bay/.

De Vera, A. (2020, September 9). In bulk state, dolomite is not hazardous to health,
says DoH. Manila Bulletin. https://mb.com.ph/2020/09/09/in-bulk-state-dolomite-
is-not-hazardous-to-health-says-doh/.

Climate Technology Centre & Network. Beach nourishment. Connecting Countries To

Climate Technology Solutions. https://www.ctc-n.org/technologies/beach-
nourishment.
Welle, D. (2020, October 27). Sand Makeup Crucial for Ecosystems. EcoWatch.
https://www.ecowatch.com/manila-bay-artificial-beach-
2648515252.html?rebelltitem=2.