New shape, stronger structure.
The top official of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Sunday proposed several changes in the design of the Roxas Boulevard seawall to make the structure stronger and more resistant to storm surges during typhoon season.
In a radio interview, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said that he would submit his ideas for the new seawall to the Department of Public Works and Highways.
These include changing the shape of the structure from a straight line to a concave (curving inward) so that the force created by strong waves slapping against the seawall would be evenly distributed.
“When you have a curve-shaped seawall, the waves would roll back into the sea,” Tolentino said.
“We are [also] proposing a double parallel seawall. It could be built about 10 meters [away] from the present seawall,” he added.
According to Tolentino, the second wall will serve as a last line of defense for other structures on Roxas Boulevard should the first wall be breached.
In between the two walls, Tolentino suggested that a saltwater lagoon be created to serve as a breeding ground for fish.
In addition, he proposed the construction of a promenade to attract more tourists to the area.
Tolentino said he would submit his proposal to Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson as soon as the design was finalized.
Last Tuesday, strong waves compounded by a storm surge spawned by Typhoon “Pedring” breached a 750-meter-long portion of the seawall on Roxas Boulevard.
Water from Manila Bay then spilled onto the busy thoroughfare, resulting in heavy flooding in the area and forcing the evacuation of personnel at the United States Embassy.
The damaged portion of the seawall stretches from the area in front of the Rajah Sulaiman Plaza all the way to Manila Yacht Club, according to Manila administrator Jesus Mari Marzan.
Marzan said that it would take around P30 million to repair the structure.
In the meantime, sandbags have been put up near the breached portion of the seawall to serve as reinforcement.