CamSur townfolk seek probe after seawall collapses during ‘Uwan’
GARCHITORENA, CAMARINES SUR—When the seawall that was supposed to protect four coastal villages in this town crumbled at the height of Supertyphoon “Uwan” (international name: Fung-Wong) on Nov. 9, hundreds of residents feared not only for their lives but also felt disappointed that the multimillion-peso structure gave way in just three years since it was built.
Felipe Mercado, 70, who lost his home to the storm surge, said the concrete barrier that once stood between his house and the sea seemed no stronger than paper.
“It (seawall) was torn into pieces like paper,” he said, as he cleared the broken slabs scattered along the shoreline of Barangay 3.
Cesar Valencia, another resident, said the seawall’s failure must be checked and investigated, especially since it was meant to withstand strong typhoons.
With the structure giving way and endangering the lives of residents, the communities are demanding clear answers.
“The lives of the people are more important. There should be an investigation why the seawall gave way. However, we can clearly ses it was properly done since there were no sheet piles and not properly done,” said Valencia.
If the seawall has to be rebuilt, he said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) should make sure it is done correctly.
The 2022 contract
Documents obtained by the Inquirer and posted on the Isumbong sa Pangulo page showed that the DPWH awarded a ₱46,986,300.29 contract on March 23, 2022, for the construction of a flood mitigation structure (seawall) along the same stretch that collapsed during Uwan.
The contract was issued to Partido Construction and Supply, based in Goa, Camarines Sur, under the DPWH Camarines Sur 4th District Engineering Office.
The project covered the coastline from Barangays 1 to 4 and was scheduled for completion between 2023 and 2024. The Notice of Award required the contractor to submit performance security, construction schedules, safety plans, and other compliance documents prior to contract signing.
It remains unclear whether the project underwent a post-construction inspection or audit.
Rep. Arnie Buquid Fuentebella, in his Facebook Live video on Friday, said he was saddened by the destruction of the seawall during Uwan’s onslaught but also pointed out that the structure had protected the coastal communities during the typhoon.
“If no seawall was constructed from Barangays 1 to 4, for sure massive damages might have happened. All I wanted is to protect the residents in the coastal area, and that’s my obligation,” he said.
He added that the structure is covered by a five-year warranty, meaning the contractor is required to reconstruct it — especially since it appeared the seawall lacked sheet piles, which are crucial for stability.
Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte Jr. said the provincial government would investigate the collapse, noting that the seawall’s failure placed hundreds of households at risk during the typhoon.
“We in the provincial government have a solution to protect the villagers in Garchitorena. We have a green embankment program that would serve as a natural barrier, and we will relocate the residents to a safer place with the help of the national government,” he said.
