The House Committee on Public Accounts will begin its inquiry into the ₱398-million Manila Bay Dolomite Beach project on November 19 (Wednesday) to determine its legality, funding source, and relevance to the bay’s rehabilitation.
Committee chairperson Bicol Saro Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon said the panel will look into whether the project was included in the National Expenditure Program (NEP), inserted during House deliberations, added by the bicameral committee, or financed through Unprogrammed Appropriations.
Officials from the DBM, DPWH, DENR, MMDA, and Manila City government have been invited to testify.
“Ang pag-uusapan ho doon sa unang pagdinig, yung question po ng necessity ng Manila Bay Dolomite Beach Program. Ang ibig pong sabihin, ang basic po na tanong dito ay kailangan ba talaga po itong pondohan,” Ridon said.
He emphasized that the Supreme Court’s continuing mandamus for Manila Bay rehabilitation focuses on preservation and water quality improvement, noting that the Dolomite Beach’s sand overlay may not directly address these goals.
“Syempre kailangan pong sagutin ng DENR bakit ho ipinasa ang proyektong ito kahit wala po ito sa Comprehensive Manila Bay Sustainable Development Masterplan,” Ridon added, pointing out that the project lacks sewerage treatment components, which are vital to cleaning the bay.