House Committee on Public Accounts chairperson and Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon on Saturday disclosed that former Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu will be invited to his panel’s investigation into the Manila Bay Dolomite Beach project.
“He will be asked to explain how the project originated and why he allowed the project to proceed despite it not being part of the Manila Bay Sustainable Development Master Plan and despite questions on its consistency with the Supreme Court’s Continuing Mandamus on the rehabilitation of Manila Bay,” Ridon said in a statement.
According to Ridon, Cimatu, as DENR secretary, “had ultimate responsibility for the Manila Bay rehabilitation, including the origination and implementation of the Manila Bay Dolomite Beach project.”
Cimatu served as DENR secretary during the Duterte administration.
Ridon said his panel has scheduled the hearing on November 19. Officials from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Manila City government, and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will also be invited.
“The committee will determine whether the project is necessary to improve water quality in Manila Bay, as mandated by the continuing mandamus issued by the Supreme Court,” Ridon said.
