PGMA orders construction of port in Southern Cebu

PRESIDENT Arroyo has ordered the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) to build a new port in Southern Cebu, especially in Santander town, which is included in the Roll-on-Roll-off Terminal System (RRTS) project.

photo by pangpong - Flickr
RRTS is one of the four components of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH), which was launched by Arroyo in 2002 to bring down the cost of transporting goods from one province to another.

Arroyo’s order to construct a port in southern Cebu was made during her recent meeting with Bohol local leaders.

The order was endorsed by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) through Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Oscar Sevilla who is also the CPA alternate chairman.

Connection

CPA General Manager Angelo Verdan said that he met with Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia last Jan. 21 to follow up on the progress of the talk between Santander Mayor Wilson Wenceslao and engineer Antonio Ouano, president of Sail and Trail Transport Corp.

The said company is the owner/builder of the unfinished Roll-on-Roll-off (RoRo) port in Liloan, Santander. Because the port is necessary for RRTS to connect Oriental Negros, the CPA wants to take it over and is ready to immediately start the construction.

Verdan said that once completed, more Ro/Ro vessels can be accommodated and more cargoes and passengers can be transported at the same time.

Completion

Garcia agreed that the Province of Cebu will take over the construction of the unfinished port after the issue of ownership is settled.

Verdan said that due to the urgency to complete and finish the port, the CPA has informed Garcia that it can reassume the lead in completing the project as it has available funds for the purpose.

The CPA estimates the amount involved at P25-P30 million, including reasonable compensation and/or reimbursement to the company owner in relation to the construction of the passenger terminal.

Garcia and Verdan agreed to meet with Wenceslao and Ouano on Feb. 4 upon the governor’s return from her official trip to Dubai and other gulf states.

The Santander port is the second Cebu port that Arroyo ordered to rehabilitate. The first is the Hagnaya Port in San Remigio, Cebu upon the request of Rep. Benhur Salimbangon (Cebu, 4th district).

Salimbangon made the request to Arroyo so the Hagnaya port will become safe to travelers.
Article source: Sun.Star Cebu