MANILA, Philippines – After a short period of opening to the public, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) says the Dolomite Beach will remain closed for the second phase of the Manila Bay Rehabilitation.
The drainage system, Dolomite Rock Garden outfall, an extension of up to 500 meters, and addition of two solar-powered comfort rooms, a souvenir shop, and other lighting and landscaping fixtures will be done and added on the tourist destination said DENR) Undersecretary Jonas Leones on a press briefing.
Usec. Leones said the beach was closed from Oct. 29 to Nov. 3, but the Manila Bay Taskforce and DENR Secretary Cimatu “wanted all the rehabilitation works completed first for the public to fully enjoy the beach once it reopens. “
“Abot kamay na matatapos naming. The objective is the water quality. Ang talagang objective natin matapos ‘yan within the year,” said Usec. Benny Antiporada in the same event.
Thousands of people have been visiting the man-made beach since it was reopened on Oct. 16 after Metro Manila was placed under Alert Level 3. A record total of over 121,000 people visited the beach on Oct. 24, wherein authorities failed to enforce social distancing guidelines.
“I would like to put on record that the Manila Bay Task Force (MBTF) is looking into the incident to assure the people that this will not happen again,” DENR Sec. Cimatu said after the incident.
The department banned children below 12 years old from entering the premises. Guests can roam the beach for up to two hours only.