CPA to check RoRo port in Maya

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Port Authority (CPA) will be inspecting next week the uncompleted Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) port project in Maya, Daanbantayan.

This after Cebu fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon as well as other officials has appealed to the CPA to finish the RoRo port.

Salimbangon expressed that the Provincial government, at present, seems to be hesitant to carry out its part stipulated in the tripartite agreement in 2011 during the time of former governor, now third district Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia.

The access road connecting the main highway to the port/causeway was already undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The CPA cannot proceed with the construction of the RoRo ramp unless the causeway is completed.

The construction of the causeway and other port facilities, which is supposed to be under the provincial government, has been stalled when Garcia's term ended last year.

The matter was already brought up by Salimbangon in a meeting with Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya who reportedly said that the project would be undertaken by the CPA.

"I would assume this time we will have better idea of what's going to happen," Salimbangon said.

CPA General Manager Edmund Tan said that the port commissioners will be visiting Maya port on Monday following also the request of Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro.

"We have plans of improving the port of Maya, we have to check on the details, we are going to look into that," Tan said.

CPA Commissioner Tomas Riveral said that aside from the unfinished port, they will also resolve another issue since the owner of the existing private wharf in Maya is also asking for a permit to operate.

"I believe that after February 10, we will be able to digress what's the best solution for that particular issue," Riveral said.

But Salimbangon stressed that the RoRo port when completed will not compete with that of the private wharf owned by the Abucay family.

The existing wharf has been used by outrigger passenger boats plying Maya-Malapascua Island and Maya-San Isidro, Leyte.

Salimbangon said that the RoRo port will accommodate big vessels and fast crafts going to and from Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Masbate and Leyte.

The officials agreed that once the RoRo port is operational, it will shorten the travel time in delivering goods to and from Cebu City. 

Tan said the commissioners will also visit the ports in Hagnaya, San Remigio and Santa Fe in Bantayan Island on Monday.

During the typhoon Yolanda, the RoRo ramp of Santa Fe port was damaged.

"We are going to repair and extend the port through the funds coming from DOTC," Tan said.

He said that they will also check the proposal of Salimbangon to develop the private port in Baigad, Bantayan as an alternate port.

"We are working with the mayor to sign an agreement nga ma-develop na para naay alternate nga madunggoan in time of bad weather," Salimbangon said.

Riveral said that they will also look into the issue of congestion at the passenger terminal in Hagnaya port following the complaints of some tourists. (FREEMAN)