MANAOG, NORLENE D. Prof.: Andy G. Gutierrez, Ph.D.

20190125292 SUMBITTED ON NOV. 27, 2022

REFLECTION PAPER

Atom Araullo's special segment documentary Saving Paradise reveals the current state of Manila
Bay, Boracay, and Coron while outlining solutions to this massive environmental disaster through the
rehabilitation and restoration of this paradise that we had abandoned. The Manila Bay, as described by
Atom, was the second-richest fishery in the country decades ago, and people were able to swim at that
time. Unfortunately, as of today, the water quality of Manila Bay has declined due to trash being
disposed of into the bay gradually, making it impossible for people to swim there. There are vast
quantities of trash floating in the ocean, and Manila Bay's bottom is all covered with mud. By then, the
view of Manila Bay is not as pleasant as it once was. The reduction of heavy metals in Manila Bay's
waters is one of the project's goals for restoration. Personally, I disagree with the idea of placing
dolomite sand in Manila Bay; instead, I think that planting mangroves is the solution. The dolomite used
to make the white sand was mined in Cebu, a province in the center of the Philippines. They devastate
Cebu just to get the dolomite they need for Manila Bay. The use of dolomite rock-derived sand in such a
project is quite unusual, according to the experts.

Another issue is the beach erosion in Boracay, the same as Manila Bay,