P9B international port project to start in 2016

CEBU, Philippines - The proposed new international port in Cebu, estimated to cost P9 billion, is the next big-ticket project to be implemented in Cebu next year.

Efren Carreon, regional director of the National Economic and Development Authority in Central Visayas, said the project’s feasibility study was being reviewed by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) and Cebu Port Authority (CPA). The feasibility study made by Korean experts was done last quarter, he said.

“[The study] will be submitted to the Provincial Development Council and Regional Development Council, before it will be endorsed to the NEDA Board for final approval,” Carreon said.

It can be remembered that Tayud, Consolacion was initially eyed for the container port’s location.

There have been calls to decongest the already crowded Cebu International Port (CIP) in Cebu City and further develop the maritime business in Cebu.

The transfer of Cebu’s international container terminal has been planned to address the increasing number of port calls and volume of shipments which have already caused congestion at the Cebu base port.

Previous reports said the port project was expected to be implemented middle of next year.

Reports also said the government would seek a $200-million loan from the Export-Import Bank of Korea to fund the project, targeted to be completed by 2019.

Moreover, Carreon also reported the construction of the new Bohol airport in Panglao has already started.

The contract to build the Panglao Airport, targeted to be completed by 2017 at the earliest, was awarded to the joint venture of Japanese engineering firms Chiyoda Corp. and Mitsubishi Corp.

Carreon said that a separate contract bidding will be done for the operation and maintenance of the new Bohol airport, seen to be the country’s 11th busiest.

The new airport will replace the existing Tagbilaran airport. (FREEMAN)