Finally, our dream for a white sand beach is happening in the heart of the Metro!

On Wednesday, photos and videos have been circulating on social media showing trucks full of white sand on the shore of the well-known bay.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is planning to fill 500 meters of the bay walk on Roxas Boulevard with white sand under the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program.

According to a report by GMA's 24 Oras, the amount of white sand to fill up the stretch of the bay walk is already enough for the plan.

"Gagawin white sand itong, dito sa may baywalk area para makita ng tao na kapag puti ang kulay ng isang bagay, kailangan pangalagaan mo ito at wag mo dumihan," said Benny Antiporda, DENR undersecretary.

Antiporda also said that the white sand came from the beaches of Cebu, and as we all know, the province of Cebu is home to plenty of beautiful white-sand beaches and sandbars.

Last January 2019, 11 trucks of garbage were collected from Manila Bay since the government started the rehabilitation program with a series of Clean-up drives for the restoration of the bay.

As of today, the Manila Bay’s water quality is still inconsistent.

“Pero ‘yung water quality natin, of course, hinahabol pa natin. Ayaw natin palusungin ang mga tao dito na merong health risk,” the undersecretary said. 

In 2019, the United Nations warned that the practice of sand mining can damage the environment especially our bodies of water.

Removing a significant amount of sand from rivers reduces the sediment that gets carried by the water to coastal areas, which results in reduced deposits, and ultimately causes faster beach erosion.

Netizens have split reactions about the update in the restoration of Manila Bay.

Some were shocked about the quick move but some were glad about the continuous efforts of the government despite the pandemic.

See below:

By September 19, or International Coastal Clean-up Day, we can expect that the white sand of Manila Bay will be ready.

What’s your reaction to this plan?