New CPA chief pursuing VTMIS as priority project

CEBU, Philippines - Newly installed Cebu Port Authority (CPA) General Manager Edmund Tan yesterday said among his top three projects is the Vessels Traffic Information Management System (VTMIS) that the Cebu City Government has requested.

The VTMIS would be installed at Lauis Ledge and at the entire Mactan Channel so that the collision between MV St. Thomas Aquinas and MV Sulpicio Express Siete last Aug. 16, which left 116 dead and 21 still missing, could be avoided in the future.

Tan, former Philippine Coast Guard chief, assured that he would continue the projects of his predecessor Dennis Villamor, who retired after 37 years of government service.

Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Undersecretary Julianito Bucayan, Jr., who witnessed the turnover ceremony between Tan and Villamor, said installation of the VTMIS is urgent and very important.

“Actually yung deadline is last month pa, but we will try our best that by the first quarter of next year, it will be installed already,” he promised.

He said the DOTC is still in the process of conducting a market survey because VTMIS technology has to be updated.

Tan, who vowed transparency, accountability and accessibility under his administration, said he would also pursue the proposed new international port and the strengthening of other ports outside Cebu City.

Bucayan said a pre-feasibility study for the new international port, which would be located somewhere in Northern Cebu, is ongoing.

Villamor said that with estimated arrivals of 13 million to 14 million passengers per year, the current Cebu International Port is very congested already.

Yesterday, he handed to Tan a paddle to mean that there are still more things to be done, and a construction  to symbolize safety.

He also said that President Benigno Aquino III may inaugurate the state-of-the-art passenger terminal at Pier 1 in Cebu City before the end of the month.

Now that he is retired, Villamor said he would spend more time with his family.

“I will go to New Zealand to take care of my grandchildren. I served for 37 years already, it is time to enjoy life with my grandchildren,” he said. — (FREEMAN)