‘Use of Talisay Ro-Ro port needs CPA consent’

For development. The Talisay fishport is up for development with the partnership agreement between the local government unit and the Asian Marine Transport Corp., but the Cebu Ports Authority says its consent is needed for the use and redevelopment of the Ro-Ro port. (.CDN FILE PHOTO)

The Cebu Ports Authority has asked the Talisay City government to submit a proposal on the use of the roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) port in connection with the 25-year deal it signed together with Asia Marine Transport Corp.

Lawyer Yusop Uckung, CPA deputy manager told Cebu Daily News that the local government unit (LGU) of Talisay cannot just use the Ro-Ro port or enter into an agreement with other parties without their approval.

“I think it is understood that they can operate the Talisay Fish Port but not the roro port until they secure the consent or appoval of the CPA,” he said.

Uckung said that the LGU has sent them a letter which only requested the CPA to operate the port.

“There is no mention about any proposal/offer/agreement and terms and conditions of their management and operation of the Talisay Port, including but not limited to, the repair and maintenance of the port, revenue sharing, port charges that they can collect,” Uckung told CDN.

The CPA however is not taking any legal action regarding the matter.

“No (legal actions) because Talisay City is not going to enter or threaten to enter the port without CPA consent,” Uckung added.

When CDN asked Talisay Mayor Johnny V. Delos Reyes about the concern of the CPA, he said that they will give the proposal within this week.

He said the city’s legal office is working on the matter.

The Ro-Ro port at Talisay Fish Port is classified as a national port and is under the jurisdiction of the CPA.

Last week, Talisay City government and Asian Marine Transport Corp., operator of the Super Shuttle fleet signed a lease contract that would entail payment to Talisay City P800,000 a month for the use of the 2.4-hectare fish port and roll-on-roll-off port.

Uckung said that presently, vessels can’t dock at the port since it is not fully constructed yet.

The company is slated to invest P560 million for the development and extension of the Ro-Ro port. Currently, Asian Marine Transport’s Cebu operations is based in Pier 8 in Mandaue City.

With the  Talisay City government agreement, the company plans to use the port as a major logistics hub for its Manila, Batangas, Visayas and Mindanao operations.

The Talisay City fish port was constructed during the administration of mayor Eduardo Gullas in 2004. The cost of constructing it reached P716 million.