THE Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) yesterday said the Dolomite beach in Manila, which has attracted a large crowd over the past several days, may be closed even beyond Undas.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) earlier announced that the beach will be closed starting today, Friday, up to November 3 in observance of All Saints and All Souls Days.
People flocked to the area after Metro Manila shifted to alert level 3 last October 16, breaking protocol on physical distancing. Many of the people who visited the beach were also observed not wearing face mask and face shield.
Citing information from DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda, DILG Undersecretary and spokesman Jonathan Malaya said: “They (DENR) are thinking of closing it for a few more weeks because there is going to be further improvement.
“DENR Undersecretary Antiporda told me that it’s a decision to be made by Secretary (Roy) Cimatu but there is a possibility that after Undas, they will still keep the dolomite beach closed until such time that they have completed the expansion,” Malaya said.
“I think what they’re considering is while the construction is ongoing, they would rather close the completed portion at this time,” he added.
Last Wednesday, Cimatu sacked Manila Bay Coordinating Office Executive Director Jacob Meimban, who claimed last Monday they “do not have control” over the people visiting the controversial dolomite beach. Cimatu named DENR official Reuel Sorilla to replace Meimban.
Malaya clarified the DILG is merely working with the DENR in the implementation of policies set by the latter. “We (DILG) do not control this project. It’s a project of the DENR.”
DENR officials have said they will limit the stay of people visiting the beach to five to 15 minutes to avoid overcrowding. It said maximum capacity should be only 3,000 and children aged 11 and below will not be allowed entry.
Malaya said the rules being implemented at the are not different from those being enforced in erring establishments.
“When we have a business establishment that doesn’t follow protocol we don’t necessarily file charges, we just close it,” Malaya said amid calls for the DILG to file charges against DENR officials for breach of health protocols at the beach.
