Artificial beach can't stand natural forces

That patch of white sand – actually crushed dolomite rock – in Manila Bay on Roxas Boulevard was in the news again last Thursday.

A part of the beach had turned dark, apparently covered by black sand brought in by the waves from the bay.

Undersecretary for Policy, Planning, and International Affairs Jonas Leones said the white dolomite is still there. “Due to the natural wave action of wash and backwash,” he said, “fresh sand, stones, rocks, and other materials piled up over the dolomite sand. DENR experts who inspected the site found nine to ten inches of various sediments on top of the dolomite overlay.”

Two weeks earlier, when people first noticed the white beach turning dark in some parts, DENR spokesman Benny Antiporda said it was a lie – referring to some criticism – that the white beach had been washed out. Black sand was washed in and covered the white dolomite, he said.