Capitol support sought for port mg’t transfer

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City government is asking the Capitol to support an agreement  between the city and the Cebu Port Authority for the transfer of the operation and maintenance of its port at the Cebu South Coastal Road, a facility that falls under CPA’s jurisdiction.

Talisay City Mayor Johnny Delos Reyes wrote a letter to Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III yesterday stating the city’s request.

Delos Reyes explained that the utilization of the idle port, through its devolution to the Talisay City government, will help ease the traffic in the ports of the cities of Cebu and Mandaue, and further spur economic growth in the city.

“Opening this port to big shipping companies like the Asian Shipping Corporation will not only decongest our Cebu City port but also open an economic hi-way for the City of Talisay and thereby generate more revenues,” the letter read.

Delos Reyes, together with Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante, personally handed the letter to Davide yesterday.

“Nangayo mi’g endorsement ni Gov aron makompleto na ang MOA (memorandum of agreement) between CPA and Talisay City,” Delos Reyes told reporters.

For his part, Davide said he has yet to take a look at the draft of the MOA, though he expressed support to the project.

The CPA’s roll-on-roll-off (Ro-Ro) port is located at Cebu South Coastal Road in Barangay San Roque and is adjacent to the Talisay City Fish Port. The Ro-Ro port was funded by the Department of Transportation and Communication and falls within the jurisdiction of the CPA pursuant to RA 7621, the law that created the port body.

The ro-ro port was eyed to be a major logistics hub for activities from Manila and Batangas to the Visayas and Mindanao.

Delos Reyes said that the Asian Marine Transport Corp. will be investing over P500 million for the development and extension of the said port.

The mayor earlier signed a lease contract with the company for the use of the city’s 2.4-hectare lot, where the fish port and ro-ro port are located, and for the development of the fish port for the shipping company’s operation, with CPA’s approval.

He said the city is hoping that the port would be operational by 2016.

The city’s fish port, costing P716 million, was built during the term of former congressman Eduardo Gullas. — (FREEMAN)