Cimatu called to House probe of dolomite beach
Former Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu will be summoned by the House committee on public accounts to explain his role in the controversial Manila Bay dolomite beach project.
On Saturday, Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon, who chairs the committee, said Cimatu would be asked to detail how the project began and why it was allowed to proceed despite not being part of the Manila Bay Sustainable Development Master Plan.
“As DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) secretary, he had ultimate responsibility for the Manila Bay rehabilitation, including the origination and implementation of the Manila Bay dolomite beach project,” Ridon said.
He added that he wanted Cimatu to clarify whether the project was consistent with the Supreme Court’s continuing mandamus on the rehabilitation of Manila Bay.
Last week, the Bicol Saro lawmaker announced he would lead an inquiry starting Nov. 17 into the Duterte-era P349-million dolomite project in Manila Bay, which involved the overlaying of crushed dolomite along a portion of Roxas Boulevard, in an effort to beautify the bay.
Specifically, the inquiry hoped to determine whether public funds were properly used and if the project aligned with the broader objectives of the government’s Manila Bay rehabilitation program.
Under Cimatu’s watch
Launched in September 2020 by the DENR under Cimatu’s watch, the project has since drawn criticism from environmental groups that questioned its ecological soundness, transparency and long-term impact on coastal rehabilitation.
It was also implemented at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the Duterte government claimed it did not have enough funds to address the pandemic.
Even so, Ridon said the inquiry was not targeting the Duterte administration and was merely in line with the Marcos administration’s directive to scrutinize projects that worsened flooding.
