23 May 2007
By Ephraim Aguilar
Inquirer Southern Luzon
LEGAZPI CITY—ALBAY’S REGIONal Development Council yesterday hit the Philippine Ports Authority for the alleged faulty design of the P213-million Pantao Port in Libon, Albay, which was wrecked by typhoon Milenyo last year.
The RDC, represented by local government units, nongovernment organizations and line agencies—invited third-party engineers to the official inquiry.
“We like to find out whether it was the PPA or the contractor who’s responsible for this. But definitely, no one can be absolved,” said Albay Gov. Fernando Gonzalez.
The PPA, for its part, concluded that the “extraordinary magnitude” of the typhoon caused the extensive damage to the two-year-old port.
The council and third-party engineers, on the other hand, asked the PPA to study the design and the materials used in the port construction.
The RDC also expressed doubts on whether there really was a detailed engineering study conducted before the construction.
Gonzalez also criticized the PPA for proceeding with the construction of the port’s second phase after the typhoon without changing the design.
“What will happen next? You have rushed to start the completion of phase two. We cannot afford the same mistake to happen again,” Gonzalez said during the meeting.
The council demanded that the PPA furnish it copies of the findings of all studies conducted in relation to the construction of the port.
Gonzalez said the council wanted to find out if the port was properly designed and if the construction was done in accordance with the design.
The Pantao Port was supposed to be an alternative port to ships coming from the Visayas.
The port was inaugurated by President Macapagal-Arroyo on May 27, 2005.
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