Harbour Centre, SMC allot P9B for port dev’t

MANILA, Philippines - Manila North Harbor Port Inc. (MNHPI), a joint venture between the Romero led Harbour Centre Port Holdings Inc. (HCPHI) and oil giant Petron Corp. of diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp., has pumped in about P9 billion for the ongoing expansion and development of the 56-hectare North Harbor facility.

Michael Romero, chairman of MNHPI, said during the inauguration of the Manila North Harbor passenger terminal building that the investment made in barely three years already comprise the bulk of its P14.5-billion total investment commitment made in 2010.

 â€œNeedless to say, to our government partners, we are right on schedule, if not even ahead of it,” he stressed.

According to him, the joint venture has pumped in P4 billion into the Manila North Harbor development project and has contracted another P5 billion for various port developments.

“In terms of our commitment to our government partners, MNHPI is pleased to announce that out of the total investments we promised last 2010 or after barely three years, our group led by Ramon Ang of Petron/San Miguel and I have already invested P4 billion into Manila North Harbor while another P5 billion has already been contracted out for the various port development projects,” he added.

The Romeros through HCPHI control 65 percent of MNHPI while SMC’s Petron Corp. owns the remaining 35 percent. HCPHI, Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc. (HCPTI), and Platinum Dredging Inc. are controlled by listed Globalport 900 Inc. (formerly MIC Holdings Inc.).

Romero pointed out the company is now in the process of completing its container cargo terminal after the completion of its P200-million terminal building with a capacity of two to three million passengers per year.

The terminal building is devoted for departing and arriving passengers with three X-ray machines, a passenger lounge area that could accommodate up to 1,875 seats, a VIP lounge, clinic, kids’ play room, non-denomination prayer room, smoking room, and isolation room for special passengers as well as concessionaires and refreshment areas.

With its brand new cranes and equipment, production efficiency has improved to about 18 to 25 container movements per hour from a daily production level of just between one and two container movement per hour before 2010.

On November of 2009, state-run Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) awarded MNHPI the contract to develop, manage, operate and maintain Manila North Harbor for 25 years renewable for another 25 years.

MNHPI committed to invest P14.5 billion for the construction of a modern passenger terminal and other facilities, acquisition of heavy equipment, dredging operations and acquisition of other equally important equipment such as modern computers to ensure the smooth flow of cargo and passengers.

It intends to transform the long-awaited infrastructure and process improvements at the busiest passenger and cargo terminal in the country, into a premier maritime hub.

PPA has developed and pursued a program to modernize all public ports in the country including the North Harbor as part of efforts of the government to provide world-class port facilities and services.

North Harbor is the largest and leading domestic port in the Philippines and is recognized as a key hub for domestic commerce in the country.