Amidst the current pandemic the country is going through, another controversy has stolen the spotlight— white sand. At first one might think that this is some sort of a joke but it's not. For the past weeks, Politicians, environmentalists, and even ordinary citizens have shared their fair-share of opinions regarding the 'beautification' project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) which involves putting crushed dolostone in the shores of Manila Bay.

The project received a handful of backlash because apparently, the DENR spent a hefty P350M for the project which according to some experts, the budget could have been enough to provide financial assistance to Covid-struck areas or provide aid to unemployed and poverty-stricken Filipinos. Not only that, according to the Department Of Health (DOH) the material that can cause health issues and bring harm to humans. These claims were denied by the DENR however, the continuous information clash has caused confusion among the public.

To clear everything, we dug deep into the pros and cons of using dolomites.

Used in the Construction Industry

Obviously, we can tell that dolomite has a good reputation in the construction industry because it's already on Manila Bay's shores. The 228-year old sedimentary rock can also be made into bricks, cement, plastics, concrete, and paving materials with the right skill. It's a smart choice that DENR chose this material because of its versatility and affordability.

Livestock Nourishment

Surprisingly, dolostone is a great player in the agriculture sector. Farm animals such as chickens, cows, and sheep consume the high calcium and magnesium content of dolomite through tablets or edible wafers. Both nutrients are essential for the growth and nutrients of domesticated animals. Without it, there would be no hard shells for the eggs, milk production would be low, and sheep would not grow wools properly.

Aesthetically Pleasing View

Clear ocean water, soft white sand, and tropical trees blown by the gentle breeze of Manila Bay promise a superb experience to any locals finding joy during the pandemic. Set aside all the sacrifices and drawbacks this project has and look for its brighter side. The beautiful sunset view from this beach will indeed reduce the stress you're feeling right now. Not to mention the aromatic smell of nature that will excite any nature lover.

Dolomite is a Threat to Human Health

While white sand is an addition for a luxurious Manila Bay, the mixed varying silica levels present pose a threat to human health. According to Lehigh Hanson Inc., a Texas-based distributor and builder company, dolomite's crystalline silica content may result in cancer once inhaled. Prolonged exposure can also cause skin and eye irritation while ingesting it would result in stomach pain and diarrhea.

Disruption to Ecosystem

Manila waters are already besieged by water pollution and resource exploitation. Adding white sand means more problems for our aquatic friends since it will stress them out. If washed away by the ravaging waves, it will mix into the ocean water, making the temperature high and decrease dissolved oxygen levels, which is necessary for marine animals to breathe.

DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporada stated that there'd be no adverse effects since corals and dolomite sand are both made of calcium carbonate. However, Oceana Philippines protested that the sand does not naturally-occur so that it might destroy the coastal ecosystem and the source of sand.

The White Sand Will Be Washed Out

According to a statement by the University of the Philippines Resilience Institute executive director Mahar Lagmay, naturally, sand will always be moved from one place to another. The odds of it being washed away are far from impossible. Replenishing it with another batch of pulverized dolomite rocks would result in spending more public funds, but let's hope the project is worthwhile.

Seven months have passed.

Still in 2020, we yearn for some good things and events to happen. Everything that happened in the earlier months would easily wind up in a list of tragic and painful experiences. We still have another four months to see what this year has in store for us. We ask ourselves, how long will these tragedies last? When will this end?

Few months before we started 2020, we were busy finishing a bunch of tasks, attending parties and other social occasions, and performing our responsibilities in our work or in school. More importantly, we breathe in the air without the slightest worry, and enjoy the simple pleasures of life without any consequences to our health.

Suddenly, the world was overwhelmed by a disease that would leave its footprints in history. And the world was never the same again.

Filipinos’ lives changed abruptly. Our daily tasks were hampered by a series of lockdowns and community quarantines. Face masks and face shields became necessities, and social distancing became a must. These and more rules were carried out in a matter of weeks that stretched into months. Sounds simple? Unfortunately, it entails grave changes in the lives of many.

How can a pandemic steal our freedom? How can Covid-19 cripple the country and the rest of the world?

We started living in between paranoia, and battling against the illness, while juggling our commitments to keep ourselves afloat, and afford basic needs to survive. The number of lives that the pandemic claimed continued to increase, many businesses closed, many people starved, and frontliners ended up leaving their work, or worse, dying while in service. The pandemic sowed fear, anxiety, and exhaustion that led to the deterioration of mental health in many, and worsening of the living conditions of thousands of Filipinos.

Now, we feel the loss of strangers from their families and friends who died because of the pandemic. We may not know them, but we extend our sincerest condolences and sympathy. And while our economy continues to decline, we do simple gestures that promote local businesses, and foster their development.

It was almost unbearable to wake up in the morning, hearing the same news every day, bothered by the number of unemployed workers who struggle with what was left of them because companies have shut down and can no longer sustain their livelihood. On top of that, we are frustrated by the incompetence of the officials who have lost track of their priorities and responsibilities, and have turned a blind eye to the suffering of all, if not many, regular civilians.

We wish we could just put an end into everything. Perhaps, wake up from a nightmarish slumber and go back to our old normal state where we left our lives before the pandemic even began. But this, my friend, is a rude awakening. The new normal is beginning to reveal many truths: the ineptitude of our leaders, and their relentless apathy, the significance of our health that we had taken for granted many times before, and the company of the people we care about the most.

This is the time to contemplate what we have missed and what we are still losing. We have been battling the crisis and we will succeed above it. Nothing, after this, should ever be the same again.

What is there to believe that there will be a light at the end of the tunnel or a silver lining for us to hold on to? Something to grapple in the midst of our dark days and the darkest that has yet to come?

We long for the things that we used to do. We daydream for the better tomorrow - a future that is far from what we witnessed today. We imagine, after this has ended, we will restore, and we will learn. From that view afar, we can only dream. We can only hope. The country needs resiliency and it needs to deepen its faith - something to hold on to when nothing makes sense and seems clear in the present time. When our strength falters, we support one another, uplifting each other.

Before it’s too late, let’s ask ourselves, what is this story telling us?

Until then, we will continue to ask.

Welcome to our TED talk

Well, I got news for you. 

---

Join the community of Young, Empowered, and Creative! Like, Follow, Subscribe to metroscenemag.com and our socials Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

---

Join the community of Young, Empowered, and Creative! Like, Follow, Subscribe to metroscenemag.com and our socials Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.