On Twitter, Alessandra De Rossi expressed disapproval of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Manila Bay white sand project.
Some netizens, however, tried to attack the actress for her opinion. Many netizens pointed out that the project already has funds allocated for it. De Rossi took on some of their arguments.
Pakibilis-bilisan naman ang paglatag ng white sand sa Manila Bay para sa mental health ng lahat. Baka sakaling wala nang magutom dahil busog na sa view. #ayudaparamasa
— alessandra de rossi (@msderossi) September 6, 2020
Ako nga nagbago plano sa buhay dahil sa covid naging model ako ng Gcash, ayuda at palawan express.. Because everyone needs a little bit of help. Ni hindi ako nagbasa or nagresearch ng kahit ano. Kusang loob yun. Sorry po. Next time.
https://t.co/WkvOatuW12
— alessandra de rossi (@msderossi) September 6, 2020
https://twitter.com/msderossi/status/1302433148794474496?s=20
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Talk to my mother. https://t.co/OMdkySuT8R
— alessandra de rossi (@msderossi) September 6, 2020
Ako din. Naka-allocate din lahat for 2020! But I moved all my shoots to 2021 because I cannot risk the lives of others. Pandemic eh. For now, unahin ko dapat kong unahin. Saka na yung alulod namin. Tulungan natin mga taong nangangailangan. Magtulungan tayo! Kung sino may budget! https://t.co/zv8TeW5aRX
— alessandra de rossi (@msderossi) September 6, 2020
Nasira din lahat ng pansarili kong plano ko dahil sa covid noh. Pero, sya talaga ang dapat asikasuhin for me. Wala akong ibang dasal kundi mapabuti lahat, walang magkasakit at mamatayan at magutom. Pero okay naman ako kainin yung white sand. Basta okay ang lahat.
— alessandra de rossi (@msderossi) September 6, 2020
https://twitter.com/msderossi/status/1302475235782844417?s=20
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Tama ka. Palakpakan!
https://t.co/nh6M2dL7nT
— alessandra de rossi (@msderossi) September 6, 2020
https://twitter.com/msderossi/status/1302566778460086272?s=20
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Umabot ka dun? https://t.co/nZUU93dc34
— alessandra de rossi (@msderossi) September 7, 2020
Hindi ako nagseselfie, so mauna ka na. https://t.co/3yOks3OiiM
— alessandra de rossi (@msderossi) September 7, 2020
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Recently, the Department of Health (DOH) cautioned about the negative effects of dolomite or the artificial white sand that will be dumped in the bay.
“Ang dolomite po is a form of a rock na meron pong mga sinasabi sa mga pag-aaral na kapag na-inhale natin ito mga tao, may mga adverse reactions, respiratory mainly,” Usec Maria Rosario Vergeire said.
“Also, pag napunta sa mata, nagkakaroon ng konting irritation and you would have to wash it off with water,“ the health exec added.
However, the DOH said that the decision still lies upon DENR and believes that they have conducted sufficient studies to satisfy this project.
“They already had this in their plan even before the pandemic. Siguro sila po ang makakapagsabi kung talagang ito ay naging efficient ba ang government dito pag nakita natin ang epekto ng programang ito,” she said.
Moreover, critics also point out that the budget of about PHP389 million that will be spent on this project could have just been allocated for the country’s COVID 19 response.
President Rodrigo Duterte has been vocal about the country’s lack of funds to aid the pandemic. However, ‘useless’ projects like this arises causing people to question the governments’ priorities amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
