Dolomite is a material that has been around for ages, but it was only recently that it sparked the interest of many Filipinos. Earlier this month, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) pushed through with its plan of covering a 500-meter stretch of Manila Bay’s shoreline with dolomite sand—a move that drew both praise and criticism. Unbeknown to many, dolomite is actually all around us. It is frequently used in the production of concrete, exterior cladding, roads and garden paths. While its use as artificial beach sand in Manila Bay raised some eyebrows, this is not the first time that dolomite was used for this purpose. Manmade beaches in France and Singapore have also been built with the same material. In addition, many heritage buildings in Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom were also made out of dolomite limestone, some of which still stand today.

Mawis-Aliston, V. (2020, September 26). Dolomite beyond Manila Bay. Philippine Daily Inquirer, pp. A1, B3-3.