Manila Bay Dolomite beach closed until further notice after overcrowding concerns

Manila Bay's Dolomite Beach will remain closed until further notice to make way for rehabilitation efforts on the man-made tourist site.

In a press briefing, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary Jonas Leones said that the drainage system, Dolomite Rock Garden outfall, and an extension of up to 500 meters will be done on the tourist destination. 

There will also be the addition of two solar-powered comfort rooms, a souvenir shop, and other lighting and landscaping fixtures.

“Abot kamay na matatapos na namin. The main objective is the water quality. Ang talagang objective natin matapos ‘yan within the year," said Usec. Benny Antiporda in the same event.

EARLIER TODAY: DENR Usec. Jonas Leones announces that Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach will remain closed to give way to various construction and rehabilitation works these coming weeks. #BattleForManilaBay pic.twitter.com/pCfZrt198H

— ＤＥＮＲ (@DENROfficial) November 3, 2021

The news comes after Dolomite Beach was closed from Oct. 29 to Nov. 3 over the holidays. Visitors have been trooping in hoards to the man-made beach since it reopened on Oct. 16 after Metro Manila was placed under Alert Level 3. 

A record total of 121,000 people visited the beach on Oct. 24, which drew flak for the DENR in terms of enforcing social distancing guidelines.

“I would like to put on record that the Manila Bay Task Force (MBTF) is looking into the incident to assure the people that this will not happen again,” DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu said after the incident.

The department has since banned children below 12 years old from entering the premises. They have also considered a "cinema approach" wherein guests can roam the beach for up to two hours only.