DPWH to spend P30 million for repair of Manila seawall

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will likely spend about P30 million for the repair of a portion of the seawall along Roxas Boulevard damaged by a storm surge at the height of typhoon “Pedring” last Tuesday.

DPWH-National Capital Region director Reynaldo Tagudando said that based on their initial assessment, about 750 meters of the seawall was destroyed by the waves.

He said they would start the repair of the seawall as soon as the weather improves.

“As of now we are assessing the appropriate restoration. We will put sandbags as a temporary measure,” Tagudando said.

He said both lanes of Roxas Boulevard were already passable to all types of vehicles.

A total of 250 DPWH personnel yesterday joined the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and employees of the Manila City government in the clean up drive following Pedring’s onslaught.

Tiles at the Baywalk area were also damaged as waves toppled trees.  

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the floods along Roxas Boulevard were caused by a storm surge.

Weathermen said flooding in some parts of Metro Manila on Tuesday was compounded by high tide.

Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim yesterday inspected the damaged seawall from Plaza Rajah Sulayman up to the Manila Yacht Club.

Lim told reporters that he wanted the seawall refurbished back to its original design so as not to block the view of the splashing waves and sunset at the Manila Bay.

He said the city government will help the DPWH in repairing the seawall in terms of manpower and funding.

Lim was with MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino, Vice Mayor Isko Moreno and Tagudando during the inspection.

Aside from the seawall, the life-size statue of former Manila mayor Arsenio Lacson was damaged by the typhoon.

He also said at least 40 century-old trees in Manila were uprooted.

City administrator Jesus Mari Marzan said damage to infrastructure in Manila was estimated at more than P200 million.

About 3,500 families or more than 15,000 people were evacuated from their homes at the height of Pedring.

Personnel from the MMDA and DPWH started clearing portions of Roxas Boulevard of felled trees, trash and sludge brought by the storm surge.

MMDA assistant general manager Emerson Carlos said clearing teams sent by the city government augmented the 150 personnel from the MMDA’s Metro Parkway Clearing and Road Rescue groups.

“The boulevard is now passable but the baywalk was really devastated,” Carlos said.

Carlos said they also placed sandbags on portions of the Roxas Boulevard seawall that were breached by the storm surge. – With Mike Frialde, Sandy Araneta