Hiniling ng isang political party sa Korte Suprema na i-cite in contempt ang Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) dahil sa pagtatambak ng mapanganib na dinurog na dolomite sa Manila Bay.

“Dumping artificial ‘white sand’ to achieve an artificial Boracay-like beach in Manila Bay is a direct violation of the Continuing Mandamus,” ang bahagi ng mosyon ng Akbayan Citizen’s Action Party na isinampa kahapon sa hukuman.

Ayon sa grupo, ang pagtatambak ng ‘white sand’ sa nasabing lugar ay labag sa naging kautusan ng Supreme Court (SC) na linisin, i-rehabilitate at pangalagaan ang Manila Bay.

Babala ng Akbayan, makasisira ng permanente sa kapaligiran ng dalampasigan ang pagtatambak ng dolomite.

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Binanggit ng grupo ang naging kautusan ng kataas-taasang hukuman noong 2008 na nag-aatas sa 13 ahensya ng pamahalaan, kabilang na ang DENR na i-rehabilitate ang Manila Bay.

“The SC directed the DENR in its decision to fully implement its Operational Plan for the Manila Bay Coastal Strategy for the rehabilitation, restoration, and conservation of the Manila Bay at the earliest possible time. The continuing mandamus judgment was issued to put an end to the era of delays, procrastination, and ad hoc measures. It made it a continuing duty of the agencies covered by the writ to act despite the absence of a specific pollution incident, and to consider the preservation of Manila Bay as a mandatory and directory duty,” pagbibigay-diin ng Akbayan.

Kinuwestiyon din ng grupo ang DENR dahil ang P389 milyong artificial beach enhancement project sa Manila Bay ay hindi kasama sa duty ng ahensya at hindi rin saklaw ng Manila Bay Sustainable Development Master Plan (MBSDMP).

“The plans to beautify Manila Bay to the detriment of its ecosystem is a direct violation of the continuing mandamus. The dumping of crushed dolomite boulders on the foreshore areas of Manila Bay contravenes the order. It destroys the Manila Bay ecological habitat that is home to various species of flora and fauna. It exposes human residents to the health hazards of a mineral substance used for construction materials,” ayon sa grupo.

“Dolomite is a non-metallic material used in manufacturing bricks, mortar, cement, concrete, plastics, paving materials, and other construction materials. It has low solubility, which makes it resistant to the acid content of rain and soil,” pahayag pa ng Akbayan.

Tinukoy din ng grupo ang inilabas na pag-aaral ng United States-based company na Lehigh Hanson Inc. na bukod sa nakaka-cancer, nakasisira rin ito ng baga at nakakasama rin ito sa balat at mata. “The artificial beach enhancement Project in Manila Bay is inconsistent with the National Development Authority’s (NEDA) sustainable development master plan. No less than DENR Undersecretary Jonas Leones admitted that the DENR failed to match its activities in Manila Bay with the plans of NEDA,” dagdag pa ng grupo.