THE 2.9 hectare foreshore land of the Mandaue City government will be developed into a hub for the intermodal transportation system.
This after the city government entered into a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) with Gothong Southern on Thursday (Oct. 25.) for the construction of Mantawi Harbour Esplanade.
Based on the proposed site development plan, a passenger terminal, boardwalk, commercial building, among others will be constructed in the city-owned property located at FF Cruz street at the North Reclamation Area (NRA).
The development of the project, which is projected to cost P691 million, will be funded by Gothong Southern.
Bob Gothong, the chief executive of Gothong Southern, said they have chosen Mandaue City to invest in as they have seen the worsening traffic in the metro and will introduce the alternative transportation system, sea bus.
“It will reduce the traffic kay mosakay na sila sa sea bus. It is very convenient for them,” said Gothong.
Gothong said the sea bus system is eyed to transport 6,000 passengers a day from mainland Cebu to Mactan island which will help decongest the traffic.
The sea bus, with a length of 22 meters and cruising speed of 10 knots, could carry at least 150 passengers.
Under the condition of the JVA, Gothong said that at least 80 percent income share of the passenger terminal will go to the city while 20 percent is for the shipping company for their operating expenses.
He added that they are also looking into partnering with SM MyBus units to ferry passengers from their docking point in Barangay Pajo in Lapu-lapu City towards the Mactan Cebu International Airport.
With the construction of a port terminal, not only it will help ease the traffic, Mandaue City Mayor Gabriel Luis “Luigi” Quisumbing also said that it will give employment opportunities of about 1,500 new jobs.
As for the start of the construction, Quisumbing said the developer has to secure a permit first from the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) before the city government could issue a notice to proceed with the project.
The project is seen to be completed in four years.
