DOLOMITE BEACH. A worker from the Manila Department of Public Services picks pieces of trash at the Manila Bay dolomite beach along Roxas Boulevard, Manila on Monday (Oct. 18, 2021). The beach saw an influx of visitors over the weekend after Metro Manila was placed under Alert Level 3. (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan) MANILA - Aside from a clear view of the sunset, Filipinos now have another reason to flock to the Manila Bay along the Roxas Boulevard shoreline. The dolomite beach has reopened to the public after months of rigid quarantine protocols due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic that limited people, especially children and the elderly, from going out. On Monday morning, families and groups of friends were seen enjoying Manila's new attraction thatwelcomed the public on Saturday as Metro Manila was downgraded to Alert Level 3. Libraries, archives, museums, galleries, exhibits, parks, plazas, public gardens, and scenic viewpoints also reopened in Manila. The dolomite beachallowed visitors at 5:30 a.m. on Monday, two and a half hours earlier than the 8 a.m. soft opening during the weekend. In an interview by PTV-4, families relished the opportunity of "freedom" even for just a short while. "Napakasaya nila. Pagod na pagod sila paglakad namin mula sa Luneta pero nung makita 'yung beach, tuwang tuwa silang dumiretso sa dagat at nagtampisaw (They were so happy. They got tired walking from Lunetato here but as soon as they saw the beach, they got excited and went straight to the water to play)," Mericar said of her children. Groups of cyclists were also seen parking their bikes outside the beach's entrance. Benjamin said he used to just imagine going to the dolomite beach and usually takes a peek when he passes by the area. "Dati nadadaanan namin siya pero sarado pa so hindi pa allowed 'yung mga tao pumunta. Since may napabalita na may mga tao ng pumupunta, sinadya namin para makita din namin 'yung ganda ng dolomite beach (We used to pass by this area but it was still close then. When we heard that people were already coming here, we planned the trip so we, too, can also see the beauty of the dolomite beach)," he said. Couples were also spotted by the beach. "Sana pagdating ng araw maalagan ito ng mga susunod na pangulo at mabantayan. Tulad nito na-umpisahan na. Wala na sana kokontra (I hope the next president will take care of this area. It has been started so I hope nobody is no longer against it)," Buddy said. Visitors may stay as long as they want but only 300 individuals at a time will be allowed in until 6 p.m. daily. Food, drinks, pets, picking up dolomite sand, spitting, and littering are not allowed. Vaccination is not required but masks but must be worn at all times. "We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the public which made the reopening of the Manila Bay Dolomite Beach truly successful," Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said in a statement on Saturday. The 140-meter beach area comprises Phase 1 of the Manila Bay Beach Nourishment Project. Marshals are all over area to remind the public of safety protocols. (PNA) }