Batanes wants breakwater as port shield

SANTA ANA, CAGAYAN—The province of Batanes has asked the Cagayan Valley regional development council (RDC) for funds to build an P800-million breakwater to protect its main port in Basco town from strong waves.

Batanes Gov. Marilou Cayco, during a recent RDC meeting here, said the breakwater would allow residents to use the port during the monsoon, or “habagat” season, when rough waters of Babuyan Channel render the port inaccessible.

Cayco said rough seas lashing at the port during monsoon hampered the delivery of goods to the northernmost province.

The provincial government had sought support from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to rehabilitate the ports in Basco and in nearby Mahatao town, which are the main docking points for residents of Batan Island.

Records showed the PPA spent P25.2 million in 2012 and P10.3 million in 2013 for repairs on the Basco port.

The port was again damaged when Batanes was struck by Typhoon “Ferdie” (international name: Meranti) in September 2016. —MELVIN GASCON