WV fishing industry gets major infra boost MANILA – As part of its nationwide infrastructure improvement program, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has made significant investments in Western Visayas during the past three years. With its robust fishing industry, the region’s network of seaports is crucial to its economy and to providing sources of livelihood. “Western Visayas’ port infrastructure and sea transport systems have markedly improved since 2011. Although we are not yet done, we hope these efforts will present greater opportunities for stakeholders, especially those who rely on its rich fishing sector,” said DOTC Secretary Joseph “Jun” Abaya. Abaya noted that the master plan for airport and seaport improvement projects in Region 6 was initiated by Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, a native of Capiz, when he was still the DOTC Secretary. “All these projects were conceptualized and initiated during the time of Secretary Roxas. These projects were made possible with all the savings generated by the national government through the daang matuwid policy of the PNoy administration,” the DOTC chief explained. As home of Roxas City, known as the “Seafood Capital of the Philippines,” Capiz’s port network is vital to the region’s fishing industry. Civil works for 15 port projects divided into three clusters began in 2013. The Pilar Port Cluster project covering Casanayan and Dayhagan is currently 85 percent complete, while the Panay Port Cluster project, which covers Pawa, Lat-asan, Navitas, Jamul-awon, Bantigue, Agojo, Lomboy and Bontod, was 82 percent done when it was temporarily suspended due to super typhoon “Yolanda.” Similarly, the Pontevedra Port Cluster project was 47 percent underway upon its temporary suspension due to “Yolanda.” This includes Tabuc, Hipona, Ameligan, Agbanog and Gabuc. In other provinces, the Barbaza River Port in Antique has been upgraded, while the rehabilitation of Aklan’s Cagban Jetty Port is 15 percent implemented. The Iloilo City Parola Ferry Terminal construction is ongoing and 75 percent complete, and the Guimbal Port development project is expected to be fully implemented by April 2014. The construction of a wharf and terminal shed for the Culasi Port in Antique, and the concreting of an access road to Iloilo’s Dumangas Port have begun, and are scheduled to be completed by October 2014 and December 2014, respectively. Next in the pipeline for start of implementation later this year are the improvement of the Hamtic Port in Antique, the construction of an access road to Basiao Port in Capiz, and the construction of a fisherman’s wharf in the Mariculum/Sipalay Port in Negros Occidental. PCG SAR BASE Key operations offices of DOTC-attached agencies are also being developed in Western Visayas. Groundbreaking ceremonies for the development of a P202.35-million Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Western Visayas Search-and-Rescue (SAR) Base in Culasi will be held this Saturday, April 12, while the new PCG Station in Roxas has been completed, with works being finished last month. The construction of a PCG detachment in Buenavista was completed in 2013, while two buildings at the Iloilo PCG District Station were likewise fully constructed earlier this year. Finally, the repair and rehabilitation of the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board’s Regional Office in Iloilo City is ongoing and 95 percent complete.
Posted on: Wed, 09 Apr 2014 21:39:57 +0000
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