Dalaguete allots P11M for port improvements

CEBU, Philippines - The municipality of Dalaguete is planning to improve its existing port as it is eyeing to make the town another port of entry in Cebu province.

Suspended Town Mayor Roland Allan Sesante said the municipal government has a budget of around P11 million -- P8 million from DILG allocation and P3 million from its own fund – allotted for the port improvement.

Port improvement works are scheduled to start after the election period, which ends June 8.

In an interview with reporters yesterday at the sidelines of the Negosyo Center launching in the town, Sesante also announced the municipal government is in talks with a Cebu-based shipping company planning to put up a ship repair facility in Dalaguete.

"It's informal talks (with the private company). But in principle, it's agreed already," Sesante said on the investment. No formal agreements on the project have been signed yet.

The official, however, declined to disclose yet the name of the shipping company which is into passenger and cargo transport.

He said the location for the ship repair facility is yet to be identified.

He said this planned shipping repair project will create additional jobs for the people there and attract other investments.

Sesante said the discussion with that local shipping firm went on to the possibility of having it tapped to invest further in the existing port in Barangay Poblacion for its further development and operations like shipping transport.

He said the potential of the existing port is not taken advantage of as it is only currently used twice month to transport coal of coal mining companies in Dalaguete to Legaspi and Naga.

The existing port, he said, can be a potential shipping point from Cebu to Bohol, Siquijor and northern Mindanao provinces.

He added a Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) service can possibly be operated in the Dalaguete port soon if these plans eventually take off.  (FREEMAN)