The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Tuesday said that the Dolomite beach is targeted to be swimmable to visitors by May.
"Hopefully, [pwede nang paliguan ang Dolomite beach sa Mayo]. Iti-trim pa natin ang white sand diyan sa area tapos lahat ng lagusan ng maruruming tubig na galing diyan sa Padre Faura ay lalagyan po natin ng tubo papuntang STP (sewage treatment plant)," acting DENR Secretary Jim Sampulna told DZRH in an interview.
(Hopefully [the Dolomite beach can be swimmable by May]. We are still trimming the white sand in the area, while the pathway of dirty water from Padre Faura will be directed to an STP.)
According to Sampulna, while the DENR already wants to open the Dolomite beach for swimming, there is still a lingering foul smell by the beach.
"Kami po ay gustong-gusto naming buksan ang dolomite, pero hindi pa po pwede dahil nung bisitahin ko last time ang dolomite, meron pa akong naaamoy-amoy na masangsang," he explained.
(We really want to open the dolomite, but we cannot do so because when I visited it last time, I can still smell a foul odor there.)
When they checked the coliform level of the beach, it is still at 1,400 per 100 milliliter, which is need to be taken down to 100 to make the beach safe for swimming.
"Kailangan pa nating ibaba pa yan ng mga 100, dahil pag di binaba 'yan ay it's dangerous to the health of those who will be swimming there," he explained.
(We still need to bring it down to 100, because if not, it will be dangerous to the health of those swimming there.)
The rehabilitation of the Dolomite beach continues, and the DENR said they want it done before the end of the month, so tourists can enjoy and take a bath on the beach after the Lenten season.
"Hopefully, matatapos po natin 'yan before the end of this month. After the Lenten season, ang mga kababayan natin ay makapagsaya naman makaligo diyan sa area na 'yan."
(Hopefully, we can finish that before the end of this month. After the Lenten season, our countrymen will be able to enjoy and take a bath in the area.)
Once opened, Sampulna explained that the number of visitors will be limited in accordance with the regulations of the Inter-Agency Task Force amid the pandemic.
