THE municipal government of Consolacion and international port developer Mega Harbour Development Inc. are moving a step nearer to make the P16.459 billion international port project in this northern town a reality with the signing of the joint venture agreement between both parties.
Consolacion Mayor Teresa Alegado, Mega Harbour chairman Red Romero II and Mega Harbour President, Engineer Victor Songco, signed the memorandum of agreement for the joint venture project at the municipal hall yesterday morning.
Alegado said that the project was consulted in line with the Mega Cebu road map some two years ago and finally they were able to have it.
“We are hoping this would successfully materialize as it would be the success not only of my constituents but of all Cebuanos,” said Alegado.
She also said that Consolacion started just as a small town, and now it is very much ready to become a city.
Evaluation, approval
Before the project would start, however, they would have to wait for an evaluation from the Cebu Port Authority (CPA), approval from the Philippine Reclamation Authority and the National Economic Development Authority-Investment Coordinating Council (Neda-ICC) and then the Neda Board which is chaired by President Rodrigo Duterte.
The project is a PPP or a Public-Private Partnership project.
Romero II says the project will cover an 85-hectare expanse from the shores of Consolacion and includes a berthing facility of up to 1,200 meters long, thus increasing Cebu’s capacity to receive port calls from international vessels.
“Expandable up to 150 hectares, the project involves raw land reclamation and horizontal development,” said Romero of this emerging “Cebu International Container and Bulk Terminal” spanning both foreshore and offshore areas of Barangay Tayud.
The raw land reclamation works for Phase 1 shall be constructed and completed within two years, and the development works for Phase 2 in another 1.5 years.
Mega Harbour
Mega Harbour is a subsidiary of the R-II Group of Companies, which is engaged in infrastructure, housing and property development, port operations, waste management, and environmental projects, among others.
Yesterday’s MOA signing was attended by Rep. Jonas Cortes (Cebu 6th district), Gov. Hilario Davide III, Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, Consolacion councilors and businessmen.