Gov't allots P94M for port dev't expansion

MANILA, Philippines - The Aquino administration is spending about P94 million to rehabilitate and expand several ports all over the country in anticipation of increased commercial shipping activities.

Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas said sea ports to be improved include Corcuera, Romblon; Sto. Domingo, Bacacay, and Pili - all in Albay; Palid, Zamboanga Sibugay; Melga, Dinagat Island; and Placer, Surigao Del Norte.

Roxas pointed out that the rehabilitation and expansion projects are a key component to the commitment of the government to provide convenient, affordable, reliable, efficient, and safe transport.

“These will also respond to the steady expansion of shipping activities—shipcalls, cargo throughputs, and passenger and container traffic—which made it a necessity to expand and upgrade the country’s port community,” he said.

The Corcuera Port project in Romblon worth P28.7 million is the biggest among the port development projects of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

It aims to improve the regular and special boat trips from Corcuera to Calatrava in Tablas Island as well as to the provincial capital of Romblon; Banton Island, and San Agustin.

The second biggest project is in Placer, Surigao del Norte where the government is spending P28.4 million for the port that serves all sea crafts within the municipality and from the neighboring islands and towns.

The Bacacay Port project in Albay is also scheduled to be improved for a total cost of P9.6 million to handle the expanding number of shipment of coal products coming from island barangays.

The Pili Port project in Albay worth P8.7 million would involve the expansion of docks to accommodate not only motorized bancas plying Pili Bay but also handle the expected increase in the fish and other aquaculture production in the area.

In Sto. Domingo, Albay, the government has allotted P8.6 million for the port that lies strategically between Legazpi City and Tabaco City and caters not only to boats of fisher folks, but also pump boats carrying tourists on island-hopping tours in several islets off the shores of Albay.

Meanwhile, the Palid Wharf in Zamboanga Sibugay will be improved to the tune of P4.9 million so that it can provide a connection to Buluan Island—a flora and fauna sanctuary that offers breathtaking underwater sceneries populated by untouched corals as well as 21 observed families of fishes, giant clams, and marine turtles.

The P4.9-million Melgar Wharf project in Dinagat Island aims to make the port as one of the main entry points from Surigao del Norte to Dinagat Island. The wharf will also serve the fishing activities in the area and transport of passenger and goods from/to San Jose, Surigao Port and other nearby barangays.

The Aquino government is boosting government spending as the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) posted a surprising growth of 6.4 percent in the first quarter of the year from the revised four percent in the fourth quarter of the year.