Supreme Court mandamus on Manila Bay never mentioned “beach nourishment” – fishers group

Supreme Court mandamus on Manila Bay never mentioned “beach nourishment” – fishers group

Manila, Philippines — Contrary to the claim of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary Benny Antiporda that the infamous “beach nourishment” project through dolomite “white sand” filling was in compliance with the Supreme Court (SC) mandamus, the militant fishers group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) on Tuesday said that such project was never part of the SC’s order.

In 2008, the SC, through a mandamus, directed several agencies to clean up and rehabilitate Manila Bay and restore its waters for recreational use and fishery resources development.

The DENR, which is the lead agency in cleaning up Manila Bay, was ordered to install, operate and maintain waste facilities to rid the bay of toxic and hazardous substances.

“Ironically, the DENR is the one discharging alien and hazardous materials in Manila Bay that could further contaminate and harm its ecosystem,” Fernando Hicap, PAMALAKAYA National Chairperson said in a statement.

“Manila Bay badly needs a rehabilitation, don’t get us wrong. But the Supreme Court mandamus never mentioned “beach nourishment” project; it never ordered filling a dolomite white sand which has been proven by environment and health experts as harmful to human and marine ecosystem,” Hicap added.

“Not only was the Supreme Court Manila Bay rehabilitation order long over due, the DENR has been also executing it in a very wrong way as it completely misses the point of rehabilitation, which must include a transformative and sustainable environmental intervention,” ended Hicap. ###

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