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Crowding at Manila Bay 'white sand' shows gov't made right rehab decision: Palace

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Arianne Merez, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/09/20/manila-bay.jpg"/><figcaption>People troop to Manila Baywalk on Sept. 20, 2020 to get a glimpse of the artificial white sand dumped in the area. <em>Jekki Pascual, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA-- Seeing throngs of people at the Manila Bay over the weekend to see artificial white sand is proof that the beautification project is a right decision, Malacañang said Monday, even as physical distancing protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 had been violated.</p><p>&quot;Naintindihan po natin yan, dahil &#x27;yan po ay nagpapatunay na tama ang desisyon ng DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) at siyudad ng Maynila na lalo pang pagandahin ang Manila Bay,&quot; Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.</p><p>(We understand that because it proves that the DENR and Manila City made the right decision to beautify Manila Bay.)</p><figure class="op-interactive"><div id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1_Container"> <ivs-player id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-vid="1377636" data-ivs-floating="1"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/iframe-parent.js"></script> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script> </div></figure><div class="iwantbar"><em>Kuha ni Jekki Pascual ng ABS-CBN News umaga ng Sept. 20, 2020</em></div><p>Roque, however, cautioned the public that the lack of observance of minimum health standards is the &quot;surest way&quot; to catch COVID-19 as he appealed to the public not to crowd in the area.</p><p>&quot;Magkakaroon din po kayo ng pagkakataon ma-enjoy [ang Manila Bay],&quot; Roque said.</p><p>(You will have the chance to enjoy.)</p><p>Following the incident, the Department of Health on Monday warned the public against violating minimum health standards such as the mandatory wearing of face masks in public places.</p><p>&quot;Kailangan lang po mapaalalahanan ang ating mga kababayan na ito po ay isang delikadong sitwasyon dahil maaari pong magkaroon ng pagkahawa-hawa ang ating mga mamamayan na nagpupunta d&#x27;yan na hindi po pinapatupad nang maigi ang minimum health standards,&quot; Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.</p><p>(We just have to remind Filipinos that this is a dangerous situation because they might get infected if they go there and minimum health standards are not imposed.)</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/21/20/nakakabahala-doh-says-crowding-of-people-at-manila-bay-worrying">&#x27;Nakakabahala&#x27;: DOH says crowding of people at Manila Bay worrying</a></li></ul><p>A police station commander in Manila was sacked for failing to implement health safety measures when people flocked to the baywalk.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/20/20/police-station-chief-sacked-due-to-safety-protocol-violations-at-manila-bay">Police station chief sacked due to safety protocol violations at Manila Bay</a></li></ul><p>The dumping of artificial white sand in a part of the bay walk drew criticism from some officials and environmental groups, saying it was an unnecessary component of the Manila Bay rehabilitation project during the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p>Malacañang, however, has defended the project, saying funds for it were already allocated even before the health crisis.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/09/21/20/manila-bay-sarado-na-muli-matapos-dayuhin-nitong-weekend">Manila Bay sarado na muli matapos dayuhin nitong weekend</a></li></ul><figure class="op-interactive"><div id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_2_Container"> <ivs-player id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_2" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-vid="1377637" data-ivs-floating="1"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/iframe-parent.js"></script> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script> </div></figure><div class="iwantbar"><em>Kuha ni Jekki Pascual ng ABS-CBN News umaga ng Sept. 20, 2020</em></div>

<p>Seeing throngs of people flock to the Manila Bay to see artificial white sand is proof that the beautification project is a right decision, Malacañang said Monday.</p>

Seeing throngs of people flock to the Manila Bay to see artificial white sand is proof that the beautification project is a right decision, Malacañang said Monday.

Crowding at Manila Bay 'white sand' shows gov't made right rehab decision: Palace

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Crowding at Manila Bay 'white sand' shows gov't made right rehab decision: Palace

Arianne Merez,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 21, 2020 04:36 PM PHT

Read More:

Harry Roque

Malacañang

Manila Bay

Manila Bay white sand

Harry Roque Manila Bay

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