|
Thursday, October 30, 2003
Minda traders to raise concerns to GMA in Minbizcon
By Stephen Capillas
ORGANIZERS of the 12th Mindanao Business Conference (12th Minbizcon) will elevate the Panguil Bay Bridge Project to President Arroyo's attention when she attends the activity on Friday.
Marriz Agbon, 12th Minbizcon secretary general, said the project would complement the Roll-on, Roll-Off (Roro) highway project earlier launched by the government as part of its Strong Republic program thrust.
The board of trustees of the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation Inc. (Oro Chamber) called on other business leaders in Northern Mindanao to join in efforts to urge immediate approval of the Panguil Bay Bridge Project.
The bridge will connect Tubod in Lanao del Norte and Tangub City in Misamis Occidental and is seen to shorten the travel time between the ports in the cities of Dipolog and Cagayan de Oro and vice-versa.
In a statement, the business leaders noted that "putting up the bridge will mean a 24-hour uninterrupted flow in the movement of commodities, vehicles, and people across the (Panguil) bay in only 23 minutes."
They said the present Roro barge waiting time is marked at one hour and 30 minutes. With the bridge, they can save an hour and seven minutes of travel time.
They also noted that the proposed bridge would be a cheaper alternative in transporting goods, vehicles and people -- and thus serve as a choice.
The traders added that the present Roro barge may continue servicing the Mucas, Lanao del Norte and Ozamiz route.
The immediate approval of the Panguil Bay Bridge Project is among the items in the conference agenda on infrastructure that will be discussed by Oro Chamber leaders with their counterparts in Mindanao.
Also up for discussion, Agbon said, is the Laguindingan International Airport project that will be discussed by Agriculture Secretary and concurrent Cabinet Officer for Regional Development (Cord) Luisito Lorenzo.
Agbon also said the delegates would be invited to tour the Mindanao International Terminal Container port (MICTP) at the Phividec Industrial Estate in Tagoloan town, Misamis Oriental, on the last day of the conference.
Agbon feels there will not be any problems in the presentation to the delegates.
The project was criticized by Provincial Board (PB) member Norris Babiera for alleged irregularities and overpricing in some key structures within the project site.
Among these is a power substation that has yet to function despite an estimated P4 million investment. Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. filed a resolution urging colleagues to probe the case.
In response, Phividec adminstrator Gabriel Evangelista denied any irregularities and said he is open to any investigation.
"We have heard his (Phividec adminstrator Gabriel Evangelista) side on the matter and he said he is open to an investigation so let's leave it at that," Agbon said.
(October 30, 2003 issue)
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
SUPERBALITA
|
