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The Philippines
This Week in AsiaHealth & Environment

In the Philippines, tide of criticism greets Manila’s new fake beach

  • Concerns have been raised over the health and environmental impacts of the crushed dolomite used to make the artificial beach along Manila Bay
  • Authorities also closed it just two days after it was opened after thousands flocked to the beach in violation of social-distancing measures

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People flock to the new beach in Manila Bay to take photos. Photo: Xinhua
Alan Robles
In the Philippines, government officials have assured the public that Manila’s controversial new fake beach isn’t toxic, won’t wash away and will instead promote tourism, business and public spirit – but any positive impact will have to wait until the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, after so many people flocked to the beach in violation of social-distancing measures that it was shut down just two days after it was opened.
Critics also say it was constructed without any assessment of its effect on the environment, while concerns have been raised over the possible health effects of the artificial sand and the millions of pesos spent on the project while the Philippines is still battling Covid-19.

What is now called “Manila Bay Sands” sprang into existence in a matter of days: on August 31, dump trucks started depositing what eventually amounted to at least 3,500 tonnes of fine white sand, made from pulverised dolomite, on a 500 metre stretch of reclaimed land along the bay.

The synthetic strip, a project of the public works and environment departments, has been variously described by officials as “beach enhancement”, “beach nourishment” and “beautification”. Manila Bay is famous for its glorious sunset views, but its waters are heavily polluted and swimming in them is dangerous to health.

Environment undersecretary Benny Antiporda on September 4 said the project was a way of bringing Boracay – the central Philippine island famous for its beaches with sugar-like white sand – to the poor of Manila. He also claimed the new beach would discourage people from littering.

Workers walk on artificial sand made from crushed dolomite at the beach on September 10. Photo: Reuters
Workers walk on artificial sand made from crushed dolomite at the beach on September 10. Photo: Reuters
On September 19, after workers had flattened and packed the sand, officials allowed a curious public access to the beach. Thousands showed up to take selfies, and two days later President Rodrigo Duterte praised the project, saying “people now are really enjoying the reclaimed area with the white sand”.

But the beach was shut down on Monday after the authorities realised the crowds were not observing proper social distancing, and the police officer charged with controlling visitors was relieved of his position. Manila mayor Francisco Moreno told the public they should be content just to view pictures of the beach online, while in subsequent days police have even banned visitors from taking pictures.

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