New ports to have security features

Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza assured the public yesterday that all ports being developed and rehabilitated nationwide will contain security features.

"We are building not only environment-friendly or user-friendly ports, but basically secure ports to preclude any terrorism threat to passenger and cargoes," he said.

Mendoza said his department will not recommend for funding any feasibility study unless the construction plans include provisions for passenger terminal, cargo handling and other port facilities.

"In our efforts to establish world-class ports that will serve the demands of domestic trade and tourism, it is necessary that our different initiatives would complement one another," he said.

Mendoza said the DOTC will require "airport-type" terminal facilities for ports –to prevent overloading and avoid maritime disasters –as in the proposed port of Batangas which is being modernized to be an alternative for the North and South Harbors in Manila.

Mendoza said the 128-hectare area to be rehabilitated and modernized at an estimated cost of P2.88 billion is expected to be fully operational by 2005.

Several urban poor dwellings in the area are being relocated to enhance port operations, he added. – Sheila Crisostomo