Roque: Manila Bay beautification part of overall adaptation policy of DENR
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday said that the beautification project for Manila Bay is part of an overall adaptation policy of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Roque said that the beautification is primarily a beach enhancement project which aims to help improve flood control and prevent soil erosion in the area.
He argued that the DENR knows what it is doing since it approves environmental impact assessments and studies.
Roque also said that the public should not worry about the white sand going to waste since measures were applied that will prevent it from being washed off.
“Naglagay po sila ng mga tubo diyan na mayroong mga sand doon po sa perimeter para maiwasan nga po matangay yung mga sand diyan,” he said.
(They placed tubes with sand at the perimeter to prevent the white sand from washing off.)
The spokesperson also reacted to Vice President Leni Robredo’s comment on the white sand project, saying that the beautification project is part of the 2020 budget.
“Inaprubahan po ito 2019, hindi naman po natin inasahan na magkakaroon ng COVID-19… Ang rule sa budget, kapag iyan po ay nasa line item, iyan lamang po ang pu-pwedeng paggamitan ng pondo,” he said.
(This was approved in 2019. No one foresaw this COVID-19 pandemic. The rule in budgeting is that funds can be used only for the projects said funds were intended for.)
Roque also said that the Manila Bay project was not planned during the pandemic.
He added that he is happy about the beautification project, saying that Manila residents like himself need access to a beautiful beach especially since they are unable to go to other beaches outside Metro Manila.
Roque said that the beautification is primarily a beach enhancement project which aims to help improve flood control and prevent soil erosion in the area.
He argued that the DENR knows what it is doing since it approves environmental impact assessments and studies.
Roque also said that the public should not worry about the white sand going to waste since measures were applied that will prevent it from being washed off.
“Naglagay po sila ng mga tubo diyan na mayroong mga sand doon po sa perimeter para maiwasan nga po matangay yung mga sand diyan,” he said.
(They placed tubes with sand at the perimeter to prevent the white sand from washing off.)
The spokesperson also reacted to Vice President Leni Robredo’s comment on the white sand project, saying that the beautification project is part of the 2020 budget.
“Inaprubahan po ito 2019, hindi naman po natin inasahan na magkakaroon ng COVID-19… Ang rule sa budget, kapag iyan po ay nasa line item, iyan lamang po ang pu-pwedeng paggamitan ng pondo,” he said.
(This was approved in 2019. No one foresaw this COVID-19 pandemic. The rule in budgeting is that funds can be used only for the projects said funds were intended for.)
Roque also said that the Manila Bay project was not planned during the pandemic.
He added that he is happy about the beautification project, saying that Manila residents like himself need access to a beautiful beach especially since they are unable to go to other beaches outside Metro Manila.
