THE Manila Bay Dolomite Beach Project is facing intense scrutiny following accusations that it directly contributed to severe flooding in Manila.
House Resolution No. 56, filed in response to MMDA Chairman Don Artes’ statement identifying the project as a cause of drainage blockage, calls for a full investigation into the project’s necessity, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact.
The resolution, spearheaded by Representative Terry L. Ridon of Bicol Saro PL, will examine whether the ₱389 million project was a justified expense, underwent proper environmental impact assessment, and whether its implementation exacerbated flooding by obstructing drainage outfalls.
The inquiry will also investigate whether the project’s cost aligns with industry standards for comparable projects and whether criminal or administrative liability should be assigned to government officials involved.
Key questions to be addressed include the project’s alignment with the Supreme Court’s Writ of Continuing Mandamus on Manila Bay rehabilitation, the adequacy of its environmental impact study, and its role in worsening flooding. Representative Ridon emphasized that the project, publicly acknowledged by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as not part of the NEDA-approved Manila Bay Rehabilitation Master Plan, was a cosmetic endeavor that has proven detrimental to flood control efforts.
Ridon has pledged a thorough congressional inquiry to determine accountability and potential criminal and administrative liabilities. He characterized the project as a criminal misuse of public funds, highlighting that the ₱389 million could have been better invested in scientifically sound and sustainable solutions.
The investigation is expected to focus on the decision-making process leading to the project’s approval and implementation, with the possibility of graft and even plunder charges being filed against those deemed responsible for the project’s failures and its negative impact on Manila’s flood mitigation capabilities.
The investigation will likely examine the roles of various government agencies and officials in the project’s planning and execution.
