12/13/2008 [ tribune.net.ph ]
At least two seaports identified as priority projects of the Mindanao Super Region are expected to be completed by early 2009.
The two seaports are the Davao (Sasa) and the Cagayan de Oro Port Development Projects.
Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) general manager lawyer Oscar Sevilla said upgrading of the two ports was endorsed by the Mindanao Economic Development Council (Medco).
The Medco heads the Mindanao Super Region Inter-agency group, which is tasked to oversee the drive to make the area the country’s agri-business hub.
Medco chairman Virgilio Leyretana Sr. said, “these development interventions would significantly improve the water-transport industry in northern and southern Mindanao.”
The rehabilitation of the Davao (Sasa) port, which is targeted for completion in January 2009, is 95.5-percent complete and is 49 days ahead of schedule.
The P420-million project started in February 2007. It involves the rehabilitation of the quay and construction of a reinforced concrete wharf, mooring and fendering area, back-up area, as well as port lighting and drainage systems.
The Sasa wharf’s project development has six phases, namely site development, concrete paving, addition of reefer outlets, construction of weigh bridges, replacement of fendering and mooring and construction of wharf extension.
The upgrading plan becomes more urgent since the Sasa wharf has been designated as a regional transshipment port within the East Asian Growth Area (EAGA) sea transport network.
On the other hand, work on the Cagayan de Oro port involves the construction of back-up area for the newly-built 4,150 square-meter wharf which is now 96.5 percent complete.
The construction of the back-up area started in February 2007 and will be completed in February 2009.
The scope of work includes widening of the existing reinforced concrete wharf, construction of a back-up area, construction of a drainage system and installation of a port lighting system.
Sevilla said Cagayan de Oro port is one of the seven local ports catering to international-vessel who will fully meet global standards by 2010.
The seven ports include North Harbor, South Harbor, Batangas, Iloilo, Zamboanga, the Makar Wharf in General Santos and the Cagayan de Oro.
“The rehabilitation of the (Cagayan de Oro) port will surely spur economic growth in the countryside,” Sevilla said.
The port of Cagayan is just a wooden wharf catering to the bancas of pre-war businessmen and passengers when it was first constructed in 1908. Over the years, the port underwent many changes in terms of port administration and infrastructure.
The Port of Cagayan de Oro is located at the northeast of Mindanao within Macajalar Bay, near the mouth of Cagayan de Oro river. PNA
