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LAGUNA LAKESHORE EXPRESSWAY DIKE PROJECT |
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by Bam Azores | 04-02-2016 13:33
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I just read some articles about a government infrastructure project that is building the Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike (LLED) from Bicutan (Metro Manila) Los Baños (Laguna, my province). The expressway will be 500 meters away but still following the shoreline of Laguna Lake. The whole idea is to relieve traffic along this heavily-travelled roads and to protect Metro Manila from major floods. In studying this, Geologist Kevin Rodolfo figures that if there is a major earthquake in the West Marikina Valley Fault, the expressway-dike could break and cause catastrophic flooding in Metro Manila, the very same area they are trying to protect with the construction of the expressway. It just so happens that on May 2015, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) actually issued a warning that the West Marikina Valley Fault System is ripe for movement, which could mean an earthquake of about 7.2 magnitude. So, if this expressway-dike is completed, is it a catastrophe waiting to happen? Another issue in the expressway-dike project is the reclamation of 700 hectares of land in Laguna Lake to make 7 100-hectare islands where buildings will rise. There will also be a lot of displaced fisherfolk and farmers with the construction of this project.
This project is also one of the biggest Public-Private Partnership projects under President Benigno Aquino?s administration. The cost upfront of constructing is so huge (at $2.7 billion) and any revenues will take longer to achieve, so one of the pre-qualified bidders is already rethinking its bid. I wonder if they are also thinking of all the possible problems that the scientists like Mr. Rodolfo are studying. |
  
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4 Comments
Something done with Laguna de Bay would be nice.
Looks like a developer, V, in the area is doing things like the MCX in a grander scale.
I suppose the speed of the projects doesn't look too doable. 7 Years to complete?
7Kms a year? Too many administrations will be involved to make this keep funding the corruption. Projects spanning the greed of different administrations are miracles. Perhaps the reclamation will be all that is attained with another expressway that stops at Alabang like Skyway.
On earthquakes, Market Market is sitting directly on a fault but things get built regardless, Surendra, & BGC. Bigger issues...with all the corruption in the construction business Makati will fall like a city of cards with a 7 EQ. So, to the author above's point, this road to the promise lands south having weak links at fault crossings is very concerning. Can it be mitigated with enough study and consideration of the workarounds? But, that doesn't line the pockets of the corrupt so it's likelihood is doubtful.
Reclamation is the driving force of this to make more land like MOA, City of Dreams, for more condos, perhaps Casinos?
Opportunities...Linking up the Southern peninsulas of Talim & Jal-Jala benefiting the Eastern Laguna Lake Shore linked at Canlubang with some major commerce could bring agri products faster and cheaper to market while building out eastern Laguna substantially & Canlubang also. The span of linking roads in the 'big' plan are longer in some cases. It's an investment as current non-existent traffic of populations aren't going to justify the costs but that is what macro planning could work out. If V. had the land on the eastern shore it would be in the 'big' plan.
One improvement fighting another.
In all of this the AH26 Asia Hiway that is supposed to breath life into Asia has little to be done in this except to divert traffic from it, National Hwy. Strategically speaking, we are supposed to improve this AH26 path for the sake of the Phil north shores to south shores providing speedy commerce, better relationships and dependence on one another that will build mutual respect and consideration. But lets fund yet another over-priced ever-increasing fees type Toll Road? I guess its the best that can be done...
Tactically, the goose has pressed the tip of another golden egg for the corrupt to ween some funding.
Strategically, just another extension of southern Manila to the east with an access road built on nature's domain to curb her ebb and flow.
Posted 27-03-2016 15:49
Some of our members (Friends of the Seven Lakes Foundation) got to meet Dr. Kelvin Rodolfo in a meeting about reclamation and he provided us with a lot of more information. We will have a meeting with other scientists to discuss issues next month. I hope I can join the members but I think it will be a schoolday.
Posted 22-02-2016 20:48
First of all, I think authorities are thinking as capitalists and undermining natures ability to counteract against their money conscious ideas. Why will they further a project like this after being informed of all the natural-unregulated risks involved? Hmmm
Posted 05-02-2016 03:55
Oh that's not good to hear. I hope authorities review it seriously if it is indeed a serious risk or not . All the best. Thanks for sharing.
Posted 04-02-2016 21:22