Malacañang on Monday appealed to the people visiting the newly opened Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach to continue adhering to the minimum public health standards despite the decreasing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections.

This, after the Manila Baywalk Coordinating Office recorded “tens of thousands of people”, including children accompanied by their parents who visited the dolomite beach over the weekend.

“Nananawagan po kami sa ating mga kababayan, pandemya pa po. Bagama’t bumababa po ang mga kaso natin eh nandiyan pa po si Covid-19, so huwag po tayong magpabaya. Kinakailangan po mask, hugas, iwas at kung kakayanin na bakuna nga po (We appealed to the public, we are still in a pandemic. Although the cases are decreasing, the Covid-19 is still around, so please do not be complacent. We still need to use face masks, wash regularly, prevent and get vaccinated if possible),” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said during his regular Palace briefing.

While the government appreciates the positive feedback of the people on the newly rehabilitated Manila Bay, Roque reminded the public to continue observing the health and safety protocols when visiting the area.

“Talaga naman po ang Dolomite eh for the enjoyment of everyone, pero huwag naman hong maging dahilan ‘yan para magkaroon tayo ng super spreader event (The Dolomite is really for the enjoyment of everyone, but don’t let it be the reason for us to have a super spreader event),” he said.

Roque also said children are still prohibited to go outside their residences due to the continuing threat of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He also called on the authorities in Manila City to limit the number of visitors at the Dolomite beach “so that the physical distancing measures will not be neglected.”

Setting up the Manila Bay Dolomite Beach is a vital part of the Manila Bay rehabilitation project spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Among other efforts also include continuous bay and estero clean-ups and the setting up of sewage treatment plants.

The rehabilitation program that started in January 2019, was also called “Battle for Manila Bay” aimed at “restoring the water quality of Manila Bay in accordance with the Writ of Continuing Mandamus of the Supreme Court”.

The program is guided by the Operational Plan for the Manila Bay Coastal Strategy which covers the period 2017-2022 and by Administrative Order No. 16 issued by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in 2019.

Duterte’s directive also includes the monitoring of establishments for pollution and compliance to required standards, as well as checking of water quality in key river mouths, outfalls, and bathing beaches along the Manila Bay region. (PNA)