Newly-repaired Manila Bay seawall examined after reports of cracks; DPWH reveals cracks were spotted before tropical storm Gener hit

Evelyn Macairan of The Philippine Star reports that on Monday, July 30, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-National Capital Region director Reynaldo Tagudando said he has "ordered the inspection of the newly-repaired Manila Bay seawall stretching from the United States embassy to the Manila Yacht Club after receiving reports that cracks were seen on the design of the structure." The report noted: "The cracks were reportedly found in the seawall section facing the Rajah Sulayman Park in Malate."

According to the report, "Tagudando clarified that the cracks were not caused by rains brought by tropical storm ’Gener.’" Tagudando explained: "(The cracks) were spotted even before the storm and that is why we have not yet fully paid the contractor." The report revealed that the Manila Bay seawall repair project cost was pegged at around P90 million.

The Manila Bay seawall repair was needed because the "1.4-kilometer portion of the seawall was destroyed by a storm surge at the height of typhoon ’Pedring’ on September 27, 2011." At around the same time last year, DPWH officials, among them Tagudando, became the subjects of  "The DPWH Photoshop Meme Mania," after their unnamed presumably in-house graphic artist "tweaked" a photo that also featured the then-wrecked Manila Bay seawall.

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