MANILA, Philippines — A congressional investigation has been proposed in the House of Representatives to scrutinize the controversial Manila Bay Dolomite Beach Project amid claims that it contributes to persistent flooding in Manila.
Bicol Saro party-list Representative Terry Ridon filed House Resolution No. 56, calling for a comprehensive inquiry into the project, which he claims has obstructed major drainage systems and was implemented outside the parameters of a national rehabilitation plan.
According to Ridon, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), through its Chairman Don Artes, identified the artificial beach as a key factor in flooding incidents in the capital. The project reportedly blocked three major drainage outfalls—Faura, Remedios, and Estero de San Antonio Abad—causing rainwater to be rerouted through an under-capacity sewage treatment facility during heavy rains.
“The project was not included in the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-approved Manila Bay Rehabilitation Master Plan,” Ridon emphasized. “It was never intended to prevent flooding, erosion, or pollution. It is a cosmetic initiative disguised as environmental rehabilitation and is now proving detrimental to flood management in the city.”
The artificial beach, which spans approximately 900 meters in length and 60 meters in width, was launched in 2020 during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte. The area was closed for expansion and reopened in 2022.
Ridon raised five key questions the proposed congressional inquiry aims to answer:
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Was the project necessary to fulfill the Supreme Court’s Writ of Continuing Mandamus on the rehabilitation of Manila Bay?
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Was it subjected to a proper environmental impact assessment, especially regarding its effects on flooding?
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Did its construction exacerbate flooding due to obstruction of natural drainage channels?
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Was the ₱389 million project cost reasonable for comparable beach nourishment undertakings?
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Should government officials be held criminally or administratively liable if the project is proven unnecessary, overpriced, or harmful to flood control?
“This is a criminal misuse of public funds. That ₱389 million should have been allocated for science-based solutions such as sewage treatment systems and flood control infrastructure,” Ridon said. “We are pushing for a full congressional probe to hold accountable all those involved in the planning and execution of this project.”
The lawmaker also referenced a 2021 statement by former President Duterte, acknowledging that wave action had already eroded the white dolomite sand—prompting additional replenishment just months after the project’s debut.
The Manila Bay Dolomite Beach Project has long drawn public scrutiny, with critics questioning its environmental benefits and long-term viability in the face of climate change and urban flooding challenges.
