Former PA Cynthia Nierras now back to her old post at the Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI) in region 8, proposed to take a look of the viability
of the operations of the three RoRo ports in Biliran which are part of
new Eastern Seaboard route under the Eastern Nautical Highways. These
ports are located in the municipality of Naval, Kawayan and in the
island municipality of Maripipi.
The RoRo port of Naval
that costs P59.9M was started in 2007 and was finished in July 2008;
Maripipi port - P53.8M was started in 2007 and was finished in
Dece3mber 2008 and Kawayan - P17.1M was started in 2007 and was
finished in January 2008.
The new Eastern
Seaboard route starts from Pilar, Sorsogon and runs through Masbate
City and Esperanza town in Masbate, traverses Naval and Maripipi towns
in Biliran province, San Ricardo in
Southern Leyte
and ends in Lipata, Surigao City in Surigao del Norte.
Regional Director
Nierras, who was one of the guests of Harampang sa PIA held recently,
said that the previous administration’s aim in putting in place these
transport infrastructures in the countryside was to further enhance
economic activities, not only in Eastern Visayas but the entire
Visayas, as well as travel and exchange of goods between Mindanao and
the Visayas.
She encouraged not
only the concern government agencies like the Philippine Ports
Authority (PPA), Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC),
Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) but also the local chief
executives in Biliran province as well as the private sector engaged
in the maritime industry to sit down and come up strategies and plan
of actions or perhaps conduct a feasibility study on the viability of
operations in these ports.
The former PA
clarified that those infrastructure facilities were constructed as a
preparation for future investment like for private shipping companies
to operate said routes. She added that shipping companies will not
just immediately put their investment without first conducting
comprehensive feasibility study as to the viability of its operation
since it is capital intensive. (PIA 8)
