TALISAY CITY, Cebu, March 3 (PNA) — The Talisay City fish port, which has been lying idle for years, needs the approval of the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) to operate as a roll-on-roll-off (RORO) port, an official said.
Talisay City councilor Edward Alesna, committee on ways and means chairman, wants the council to authorize Mayor Johnny De los Reyes to negotiate and enter into a memorandum of agreement with the CPA for the transfer of management, operation and maintenance of the city’s port.
The fish port was built during the term of former Cebu first district congressman Eduardo Gullas at a cost of Php 716 million, but it was not used for its purpose.
The port located at the Cebu South Coastal Road in Barangay San Roque, Talisay City, was funded by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and falls under the jurisdiction of the CPA pursuant to Republic Act (RA) 7621.
“The devolution of the port by the CPA to the local government of Talisay City, Cebu, will significantly increase the area of the facilities allowing the accommodation of bigger flow of cargoes and passengers, and shall certainly add revenues to both institutions and significantly spur economic growth not only to the City of Talisay but also to entire Province of Cebu,” Alesna’s proposed resolution said.
Earlier, Mayor De los Reyes signed contract with Asian Marine Transport Corp. for the development of the fish port for the shipping company’s operation.
The company will pay the city Php 800,000 a month for the use of the 2.4-hectare lot where the fish port and roll-on-roll-off port are located.
The company will invest some Php 500 million for the development and extension of the ro-ro port as a major gateway to Cebu.
The Talisay port is envisioned as a major logistics hub for activities from Manila and Batangas to the Visayas and Mindanao.(PNA)