CRACKED IN PIER PAVING BLOCK: A crack in the paving block of the pier expansion project by the Philippine Ports Authority head office at the Puerto Princesa City Pier can be seen in this photo taken on Aug. 20, 2018. (Photo by CARF)
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- A PHP200-million “big ticket” pier reclamation and expansion project by the head office of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) here is already showing serious traces of cracks in its paving block.
The over one-hectare project, which is surfaced with cobblestones and has not been turned over yet to their local office, is now undergoing restoration and maintenance, Elvis Medalla, manager of the PPA Port Management Office (PMO) in Palawan, said.
“Isa sa mga ‘big ticket’ projects ito, hindi pa na-tu-turn over sa PMO Palawan. Most likely, nagkaroon ng erosion dyan sa baba. Kasama sa ni-reclaim nila yan, naglagay sila dyan ng prestressed concrete sheet pile siguro na-erode (This is one of the ‘big ticket' projects that has not been turned over to the PMO in Palawan. Most likely, it eroded under. The area is part of the reclamation where they placed prestressed concrete sheet pile that eroded),” he said.
A prestressed concrete sheet pile is used in the reclamation and to support bridge decks and other marine structures.
Medalla, who was not yet the PMO manager at the time of the project construction, said he already wrote their head office regarding the maintenance of the extended pier.
He said if the project contractor will not correct the defects in the wharf, it will be penalized.
“If they cannot return to finish what they have not completed, the head office will make computations, which they have to pay and they will be penalized,” Medalla said.
He said it has not been turned over to them, and accepting it would mean he has to take note of the cracks and other flaws that were noted.
Medalla said the PMO in Palawan and their head office are in constant communication about the expansion project.
He said three weeks ago, the PPA head office told him that it will send engineers to assess and evaluate the defects.
Despite the obvious cracks, Medalla assured it is still safe to moor vessels in the expanded berthing area.
“Oo, safe naman because cove tayo at di naman maalon dito. Kayang-kaya pa naman mag-anchor dyan ng mga barko (Yes, it is safe because this is a cove where waves are not strong. The ships can anchor here),” Medalla said. (PNA)
