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.

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.