MMDA wants double-layered seawall in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - The severe flooding on Roxas Boulevard during last Wednesday’s monsoon surge could have been prevented had the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) pushed through with a proposal to build a double-layered seawall, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino said yesterday.

“We will submit the proposal to the DPWH. If they did this in the first place, the surge could have been prevented from going over,” Tolentino said.

He said the DPWH now appears to be more receptive to their proposal following the latest monsoon surge that heaped tons of garbage and debris from Manila Bay onto Roxas Boulevard.

Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, on the other hand, has given the go signal to start drafting the design to extend the breakwater in Manila Bay.

DPWH-National Capital Region (NCR) director Reynaldo Tagudando said “there were discussions on how we could speed up the construction of extending the breakwater.”

He said the DPWH’s Bureau of Design has also started drawing up plans on how the project can be implemented.

“This project is timely because of climate change... the breakwater is necessary to lessen the energy of the waves,” he said.

Tagudando added they would have to coordinate with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) that has jurisdiction over the breakwater.

“We would inform the PPA that we would be undertaking this project,” he said.

At the same time, Singson declared the seawall along Roxas Boulevard remained intact despite the tons of garbage and debris washed up from the bay.

Based on the assessment made by government engineers, Singson said the seawall was not seriously damaged despite being battered by the monsoon surge.

Singson had ordered a thorough inspection of the Roxas Boulevard seawall after he checked on the damage.

He also ordered the DPWH-National Capital Region to repair the damaged portion of the pavements along the bay walk.

“This shall be done as soon as the weather improves,” Singson said.

An improvement

Tolentino, however, said he could not see any reason why the DPWH will not push through with the plan, considering that the MMDA already has a design plan for the double seawall.

“This could be done in just eight months since there is already the design. Maybe somebody could have made a proposal different from our own,” he said.

Tolentino said the MMDA submitted the proposal to the DPWH on Oct. 4 last year.

The proposal was to construct a double-layer seawall design that would shield Roxas Boulevard from Manila Bay.

The plan includes the construction of a concave second seawall running parallel to the existing seawall along Roxas Boulevard.

He said the MMDA’s design of the seawall is aesthetically pleasing as well as environment-friendly.

Tolentino said the design is similar to the seawalls in Galveston, Texas and in Vancouver, Canada.

In the proposed MMDA design, the seawall will be accessible to visitors through Spanish-style bridges.

“It will enhance public safety and address environmental concerns. The proposed new seawall will be the first layer of defense from strong waves coming from Manila Bay during storms and other natural disasters. Built in accordance with the latest technology, it will be an improved structure that shall be stronger to withstand the buffeting waves,” he said.

He said the proposed design would be an improvement of the old seawall, portions of which were destroyed by a storm surge due to storm “Pedring” last September.

The design would also enhance Roxas Boulevard as a major tourist destination, landmark and seawall promenade, he said.

Decorative plants, mangroves and benches will also be installed on the promenade or within the vicinity, so that tourists and passersby could better appreciate the beauty of Manila Bay and its sunset, the MMDA said.

Tolentino said the access bridges would be opened to the public at certain hours. The bridges would remain closed during off-hours and during storms and other disasters.