Mangroves not dolomite: UP biologists offer services to rehabilitate Manila Bay

ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/10/09/20200919-manila-bay-white-sand-sunset-gc-7884.jpg"/><figcaption>People flock to baywalk to witness the sunset by the new “white sand” project in Manila Bay on September 19, 2020. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA — &quot;Science-based&quot; programs should be implemented in order to rehabilitate Manila Bay, biologists from the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman said, as they offered their services to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). “We advocate and are willing to assist the DENR in a science-based rehabilitation program for Manila Bay that targets the recovery of its biological functions and services (e.g., through restoring and protecting key habitats, managing invasive species, reducing pollution, etc.) and understands the interplay between natural processes and human activities,” the UP Institute of Biology said in a recent statement.“To be successful, the rehabilitation program needs to demonstrate a grasp of land-sea connectivity as well as possible immediate, short-term, and long-term impacts at species, ecosystem, and seascape scales. Its core must be the strategic protection and conservation of biodiversity and ecological integrity providing the ecosystem services: the very reason why we need to rehabilitate Manila Bay,” it added.The institute said that the budget for <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/03/20/denr-dumps-synthetic-white-sand-on-baywalk-as-part-of-manila-bay-rehab">dolomite sand</a> could have been allotted as resources for the pandemic response or “viable, scientifically sound projects that can restore Manila Bay to a state that is fit for recreation.”“The recent effort of dumping dolomite sand on a reclaimed part of Manila Bay is not the best way of spending government money; a critical resource during the pandemic that could have been put to better use by spending for the needs of medical frontliners and the millions of our hungry fellow Filipinos,” the experts said.“The fund should have been directed to more viable, scientifically sound projects that can restore Manila Bay to a state that is fit for recreation. Collaborative action among institutions and stakeholders is needed to ensure that efforts to rehabilitate Manila bay will benefit both the environment and the society,” it added.They added that the dumping of dolomite sand reduced the habitat of migrating waterbirds including those “threatened species.”“The dumping of dolomite in Manila Bay has effectively covered part of the intertidal area used by the birds thereby reducing their habitat,” the institute said.“Any habitat reduction or loss will reduce opportunities for migratory birds to feed and refuel on their migration journey,” it added.Citing the Las Piñas–Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA) as an example, the group of biologists suggested that rehabilitating mangroves can help in “biodiversity conservation” in Manila Bay. “Rehabilitating mangroves (based on species-substrate matching and species zonation) is an example of a nature-based solution (NbS) that is cheaper and more cost-effective than the dolomite dumping project,&quot; the group added. The UP Marine Science Institute earlier said that the rehabilitation of Manila Bay is an &quot;arduous task&quot; and efforts should come from residents, people using the area, and the government.The institute noted that authorities should address &quot;poor water quality&quot; and the &quot;threat of erosion&quot; in Manila Bay under the government&#x27;s rehabilitation program.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/10/01/20/up-marine-scientists-explain-why-dumping-dolomite-cant-solve-manila-bay-problems">UP marine scientists explain why dumping dolomite can’t solve Manila Bay problems</a></li></ul><div>- With reports from Josiah Antonio, ABS-CBN News</div>

"Science-based" programs should be implemented in order to rehabilitate Manila Bay, biologists from the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman said, as they offered their services to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

"Science-based" programs should be implemented in order to rehabilitate Manila Bay, biologists from the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman said, as they offered their services to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Mangroves not dolomite: UP biologists offer services to rehabilitate Manila Bay | ABS-CBN

Halalan 2025

Entertainment

News

Metro.Style

Sports

More

News

Mangroves not dolomite: UP biologists offer services to rehabilitate Manila Bay

Mangroves not dolomite: UP biologists offer services to rehabilitate Manila Bay

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 09, 2020 06:06 PM PHT

|

Updated Oct 11, 2020 08:26 AM PHT

Read More:

UP Institute of Biology

DENR

dolomite sand

Manila Bay

Manila Bay rehab

white sand

Manila bay white sand

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Advertise with Us

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.