|
Monday, March 10, 2003
Escalante port seen to spur trade with nearby islands
By Clara Mae Hortelano
THE Provincial Government should enhance the Escalante City port as it is the major link of Negros Occidental investors to Cebu City, said Roberto Montelibano, Escalante’s economic consultant and president of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI).
As the province’ main entry point in the north, the city serves as the major passageway of investment especially in transporting Negros’ high-value produce to Cebu, said Montelibano.
He added that Cebu is Negros’ big market.
“It could be a great source for the income generating activities of the city,” said the MBBCI executive adding that developing the city’s port could not only help uplift the local government unit’s economic activities, but will also spur progress in the province.
“When it comes to high value crops wala mayo gina produce ang Cebu, which makes us their good supplier. What they have are the big warehouses of big companies from Metro Manila,” noted Montelibano.
RO-RO Project
Montelibano said the Roll-on-Roll-off project of the national government will help realize the plan as it would be convenient for the province.
He noted that Negros relies much from other provinces for its rice supply.
Montelibano added: “With the existing Roll-on-Roll-off sa pantalan, the flow of goods from Panay, Cebu and Negros will be easy now in terms of transporting the cargo.”
He also proposed to Escalante Mayor Santiago Barcelona to put up an industrial zone in the city.
“It is indeed important for Escalante to have an industrial zone for the investors’ convenience,” said Montelibano.
He also said that with the industrial zone, investors could be exempted from tax, which will in turn, lead to the increase in their number. CMH
(March 8, 2003 issue)
Want Sun.Star news on your mobile phone? Click here.
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[ return
to top ]
[ home
]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
