The marine conservation group Oceana Philippines launched an online petition against the Manila Bay white sand project spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
“We are opposed, and we want this project, a useless expenditure of public money, stopped,” Gloria Ramos, Oceana Philippines vice president, told GMA News.
“Walang environmental impact study na ginawa before they even thought of the project. And it’s ironic kasi the DENR, and the EMB [Environmental Management Bureau] is tasked to do that,” she added.
According to the online petition, the Manila Bay white sand project allegedly violated five laws: Presidential Proclamation 2146, the amended Fisheries Code, the Clean Water Act, the National Cultural Heritage Act, and the Local Government Code.
“Ginawa nila yung illegal acts and there are damages, they can be held liable for that. Meron tayong Code of Ethical Conduct. Puwedeng tingnan ang mga provision doon. So may mga accountability,” Ramos said.
She also said that local government officials of Manila could also face charges for allowing the Manila Bay white sand project without issuing a resolution.
Also read: White sand project in Manila Bay untimely amid pandemic – bishop
Online petition vs. Manila Bay white sand project launched
“They can be held answerable if they allowed that project. That’s dereliction of duty. Kaya isasama rin namin sa sulat namin, bigyan namin ng position paper ang Ombudsman kasi puwede siyang mag-investigate just sa reports sa newspapers is already ground for the Ombudsman to start investigations,” she explained.
Oceana Philippines is already “preparing for lawsuits,” she added.
Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno wished Oceana Philippines “all the best, good health, good luck.”
DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda is confident that the department would be able to prove in court that the beautification project is above board.
“They are welcome to do whatever they want to do, especially on this legal aspect. In the first place, we know that what we are doing is right. They didn’t even show us any concrete evidence that will justify ‘yung kanilang grievances kaya I don’t think we will give in to them. We will finish this,” Antiporda told GMA News.