Capitol, Bogo partner for wharf development

CEBU, Philippines - The provincial government and the city government of Bogo will partner in developing the Polambato Wharf where 40 hectares of flatlands have been declared a part of a Special Economic Zone through Proclamation No. 239 by then President Joseph Estrada in 2002.

Bogo City Mayor Celestino Martinez Jr. presented the development plan for the wharf and its surrounding areas to Governor Hilario Davide III yesterday.

Martinez told Davide there are locators that have expressed interest and are looking for a port for the shipment of cargoes.

Davide proposed that a team from the city and the province will look into the plan jointly.

“It’s a good project to attract investors and to improve the economy in the north by bringing in investors and locators,” Davide.

Sometime in 2012, the Investment and Capital Corporation of the Philippines (ICCP) inspected the site as an expansion area of the already congested Mactan Export Processing Zone (MEPZ) in Lapu-Lapu City.

ICCP tried to evaluate the property owned by the Fernan family in Bogo City, although it is just too small for what it needs, which is at least 100 hectares.

The area is said to be ideal for light to medium industries and sets an advantage because of its immediate access to the port of Polambato and the major road networks of the province.

Despite the declaration as an economic zone, the area is still being planted with sugarcane.

However, with the new city hall standing therein, Bogo City thought of developing the site nearby into an economic zone.

Shipping lines and logistic companies are reportedly encouraged to consider investing in Polambato as a potential port for cargo shipments to and from Cebu, providing them with possible direct routes and faster time travel and shorter distance.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has vowed to assist the city government in promoting the Philippine Economic Zone Authority-registered port for cargo shipments.

Last year, DTI-Cebu conducted an investment forum on the Bogo City’s Polambato port. The forum was participated by representatives from local government agencies, the Cebu Port Authority (CPA), shipping lines, cargo companies, truckers association, travel agencies, and tour operators.

Bogo City is considered to be a growth center for trade and commerce and strategic take-off point in the northern area of the province given the enabling business environment initiated by the LGU. — (FREEMAN)