A request has been made to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas-(DENR-7) and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau- Central Visayas(MGB-7).
The proposed scoping activity aims to assess the geotechnical stability of the affected sites and identify potential geohazards in the port areas prior to rehabilitation, ensuring the safety of both the public and port users.
Extent of damage
At least seven ports in northern Cebu were affected by the earthquake.
One of the affected facilities is the Hagnaya Port in San Remigio, the second-busiest port in Cebu operated by the CPA. It serves as a vital link to Masbate and Bantayan Island, a popular tourist destination known for its old churches and white-sand beaches.
Based on the Cebu Ports Authority’s assessment, only the rightmost ramp at Hagnaya Port can be used during high tide for loading and unloading rolling cargo and passengers.
This was because a portion of the port’s berth had tilted, allowing seawater to reach the loading area during high tide.
Ground ruptures were also observed in the port’s backup area, while pavement cracks, fissures, and surface gaps were visibly present. Cracks and damage were observed on the shear wall, while the mooring bollard, along with its concrete base, had detached.
Post-earthquake port conditions
According to a Cebu Ports Authority (CPA) port advisory, one berthing area—specifically a portion of the RoRo ramp—is currently unusable due to damage. As a result, vessels from Island Shipping Corp. and Asian Marine Transport Corp. (shuttle ferry) are utilizing the remaining berths alternately.
During high tide, only the rightmost ramp is being used to safely load and unload rolling cargo and passengers.
Only direct loading and unloading of rolling cargo are allowed, while parking within the port premises is strictly prohibited.
The Polambato Port in Bogo, which connects to Leyte, Sorsogon, and Masbate, was also partially operational after the collapse of its rolling cargo deck and RoRo ramp.
The earthquake also damaged the riprap wall near the passenger terminal building, the concrete pavement at the causeway, the passenger walkway, and the riprap retaining wall.
Other affected facilities include the Kawit Port in Medellin, the Maya Port in Daanbantayan, and the ports in Tabogon, Sogod, and Carmen.
Both the Sogod and Tabogon ports, which are operated by their respective local government units, have been closed to operations.
Rehabilitation plans and funding
The CPA said it would take at least P623 million to rehabilitate the ports: P215 million for Polambato port, P75.5 million for Hagnaya, P12 million for Medellin, P55 million for Sogod, P110 million for Carmen and P156.6 million for Tabogon.
Maryknoll Bolasa, CPA public relations officer, said they had submitted their updates and rehabilitation plans to the Department of Transportation.
While CPA had its own budget for port infrastructure, she added, the agency would have to wait for the results and recommendation of the Geological Site Scoping from MGB before proceeding with the rehabilitation plan.
Last Oct. 17, CPA General Manager Kit Comendador, along with other CPA officials, met with DENR-7 officer-in-charge Eddie E. Llamedo, MGB-7 geologist Josephine Aleta to discuss the need for a comprehensive geological assessment in Northern Cebu ports.
In its request, the Cebu Ports Authority (CPA) emphasized the need for the Mines and Geosciences Bureau’s (MGB) immediate technical assistance in evaluating existing site conditions and identifying geological risks that could affect the rehabilitation plans and the long-term sustainability of the port infrastructure.
Ensuring safety and sustainability
CPA also requested that the assessment include recommendations or mitigation measures that may be necessary based on the findings.
“It is very important that we are guided by the expertise of our colleagues from DENR, especially from the MGB, because there is a genuine concern that, should the hazard assessments reveal critical issues such as soil instability or the unsuitability of locations, these ports may be deemed unsafe for continued operation,” said Commendador in a statement.
“This could undermine the value of our rehabilitation efforts and, more importantly, put public safety at risk,” he added.
Commendador pointed out that funds allocated for the repair would just be put to waste if the ports would not be used long term after being fixed.
“We better know early, so we can look at other alternatives,” he added.
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