Days after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) started dumping artificial white sand in Manila Bay, the Department of Health (DOH) yesterday warned the public of health risks due to exposure to crushed dolomite amid public outcry over the project. But the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the DENR defended the use of synthetic white sand as part of the bay’s rehabilitation program, saying it would help nourish the bay. “These pulverized dolomite boulders are composed of calcium magnesium carbonate, which does not have any adverse effects, whatsoever, to the ecosystem. It has long been used in famous beach resorts in Cebu,” MGB director Wilfredo Moncano said.

Valenzuela, R., Crisostomo, S., Romero, A., Galupo, R., Macairan, E., Romero, P., Felipe, C. S. (2020, September 8). 'Manila beach' defended amid uproar. The Philippine Star, p. 8.