THE Talisay City government called on the Cebu Ports Authority (CPA) to approve the draft agreement between them and Asia Marine Corp. Inc. for the operation of the roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) port at the Talisay fish port area.
Talisay City Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante delivered the letter and memorandum of agreement to the CPA office last Monday.
“The port income for the Talisay City government is much higher because we will do the maintenance and improvements on the port.
“However, we are still open to possibilities of changes because it is still a proposal,” Villarante said.
The 25-year deal with the Asia Marine Corporation Inc., is also renewable for another 25 years.
Development
The council also wants the CPA board’s approval within this month since they are expecting to receive a dredging machine from Japan in June.
“We are hoping that the CPA board will grant our request so that we can immediately start the improvements like the dredging and expansion of the port,” Villarante said.
Deputy CPA manager Yusop Uckung told Cebu Daily News that the CPA board still has to discuss the agreement.
The ro-ro port at Talisay Fish Port has been classified as a national port which means that funding comes from the national government.
The Asian Marine Transport Corp. Inc., will invest P560 million for the development and extension of the ro-ro port as a major gateway to Cebu.
The Talisay port is envisioned as a major logistics hub for activities from Manila and Batangas to the Visayas and Mindanao.
It was built during the tenure of former congressman Eduardo Gullas at a cost of P716 million.