Vol. XXI, No. 216 [ Business World Online ]
Wednesday, June 4, 2008 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
FURTHER EXPANSION of the country’s nautical highway will start in the third quarter, when the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) starts building the first batch of new roll-on, roll-off (RO-RO) facilities under the government’s Greater Maritime Access (GMA) program.
The GMA project involves the construction of 85 ports nationwide over the next four years with a budget of P11.7 billion, financed by a loan from Spain.
PPA Assistant General Manager Claro Maranan said only six ports will be completed this year.
"We have submitted a list of 120 locations to Malacañang. We are just waiting for instructions to know which areas will be prioritized," Mr. Maranan said in a phone interview.
Proposed locations for the new ports include Isabela, Aurora and Pangasinan in North Luzon, as well as Quezon, Romblon, Mindoro and Cavite in Metro Luzon. Areas in Palawan, Masbate, Albay and Eastern Samar are being considered in Central Philippines, while Surigao del Norte, Davao and Cotabato are among the possible RO-RO venues.
Provincial ports have been classified as small, medium and large ports with an allocated budget of P50 million, P100 million, and P150 million, respectively.
The PPA will use prefabricated steel ports and the RO-RO projects will include passenger terminals with solar-powered facilities.
Mr. Maranan said the PPA is in talks with two new suppliers after a Spanish firm initially contracted for the program failed to submit required documents.
Enrico Basilio, director of the University of Asia and the Pacific’s Transport and Logistics Institute, said RO-ROs have helped save as much as 30% in cargo handling. "It facilitates regional trade. It has an impact on agriculture and tourism because it provides people mobility," Mr. Basilio said.
The government runs 101 ports nationwide. — Anna Barbara L. Lorenzo
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