Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon has issued an ultimatum to Manfel Cargo Shipping Corp. to complete the repair of a damaged section of the Navotas Coastal Dike by February and ensure that the restoration meets proper standards.

Dizon said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will send a demand letter to the shipping firm, requiring it to fully restore the 50-meter portion of the dike that was heavily damaged when one of its vessels struck the structure last year.

“That is their responsibility, they damage it then restore it. In fact, 'yung High Tone [that damage the other part of the dike], have already been finished, but the Manfel has yet to finish their restoration,” Dizon said.

The DPWH chief stressed that repair work should not be halted even if the company has stopped paying its contractor.

Based on reports received by the department, Dizon said Manfel has only paid about 10 percent of the project cost, prompting the contractor to suspend work.

Dizon warned that if the repair of the dike is not completed by next month, the government will file charges against the shipping firm before the Office of the Solicitor General.

Earlier, the Navotas City Government disclosed that several coastal dikes in the city remain damaged, while vessels that ran aground are still positioned near the seawall.

Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco said shipping companies must be held accountable for damage caused by their vessels.

“Several dikes were damaged by the ships. The boats have been reported to the Coast Guard, and they should fix our dikes because they are essential in protecting us from high waves from the bay,” Tiangco said.

The damaged dike in Barangay Tangos South has allowed seawater to more easily flood nearby coastal areas, particularly during periods of heavy rain and high tide.

Tiangco emphasized the critical role of coastal dikes in protecting Navotas, warning that without timely repairs, seaside communities remain vulnerable to flooding.