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MANILA, Philippines – Detained Senator Leila De Lima has called for a Senate investigation into the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) “beach nutrition project” P389 – millions of Manila Bay
In a statement released on Saturday, De Lima presented Senate Resolution 532, which asks the corresponding Senate committee to carry out the investigation.
The opposition senator said the project budget could have been used to feed 5.2 million hungry families or help boost the government’s response to the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The project, which includes the dumping of crushed dolomite off the coast of the bay, has drawn criticism from environmental groups and experts, saying it has damaging impacts.
Senator Leile De Lima. (FILE PHOTO OF INVESTIGATOR / KIMBERLY DELA CRUZ)
Akbayan party list submitted to Supreme Court petition to cite DENR in contempt for dumping dolomite in the 500-meter stretch of Manila Bay.
De Lima also criticized presidential spokesman Harry Roque after he said the “white sand” in Manila Bay will be good for everyone’s mental health.
“Contrary to presidential spokesman Roque’s claim that the ‘white sand’ makeover will bring immeasurable benefit to the mental health of Filipinos, this P389 million band-aid project has actually done more harm than good” said De Lima.
“The makeover of Manila Bay shows that the priorities of this administration are tilted towards cosmetic beautification rather than health, financial aid or education. Now is the opportune time to conduct this investigation as we approach the fiscal year 2021 deliberations in Congress, ”he added.
The senator also said that DENR officials are held accountable for non-compliance with various laws, such as the Local Government Code, the Philippine Fisheries Code, the Wildlife Conservation Act, and Presidential Decree 1586 or the System of Environmental Impact Assessment, among others.
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