Tuesday, April 29, 2008 Arroyo unveils marker of Bogo port, brings together local political rivals
IT was a concept developed almost a century ago.
But yesterday, the roll-on, roll-off (Roro) port in Barangay Polambato, Bogo City was finally inaugurated with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as guest of honor.
Arroyo launched her Central Nautical Highway with a Roro caravan to highlight the completion of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH).
The caravan stopped by the Polambato port.
It was there that Arroyo led the port marker unveiling, which brought together political rivals.
Arroyo was welcomed by Bogo City Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr., his wife former congresswoman Clavel Asas-Martinez, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Rep. Benhur Salimbangon (Cebu, 4th district).
Cabinet Secretaries Leandro Mendoza of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and Cerge Remonde, Presidential Management Staff (PMS) head, were also present.
Arroyo personally welcomed the Roro passengers as a signal of the formal opening of the port.
Passengers were seemingly shocked that the welcome party included Arroyo.
Junie said the causeway leading to the port was developed in 1912 yet.
The port had a long history, covering the terms of three presidents before it was finally completed.
The administrations of former presidents Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada contributed to the P75-million Polambato port.
It was the Arroyo administration that saw its completion after giving an additional P35 million.
Clavel also set aside P25 million of her Priority Development Assistance Fund when she was still the fourth district representative.
“Bogo City is strategically located to serve Masbate, Leyte, Samar and some parts of Negros. If Cebu City is the trading center of Visayas and Mindanao, Bogo City is now the trading center of the northern part of Cebu,” Junie said of the project.
Junie expects gains from the port within the next six to eight months, especially if more Roro franchises are approved.
The Super Shuttle Ferry 3, for example, has one vessel traveling daily from Bogo City to Palompon, Leyte, and back.
Its president, Paul Rodriguez, said travel time has been cut by two hours with the new port.
He wore a shirt stating, “Leading the way to the Nautical Highway.”
Arroyo issued Executive Order (EO) 170 in 2003 creating the Roro system, also known as “nautical highway” because Roro vessels are considered extensions of national highways.
And EO 170-A provided that the Department of Public Works and Highways and local government units give adequate road access to the Roro system to link municipal, provincial and national roads.
Arroyo’s caravan started at the Bulan port in Sorsogon, Masbate City before it hit the ports of Cauayan, Masbate and Bogo City.
Today, the caravan will be in Bohol before proceeding to the Provinces of Camiguin and Misamis Oriental.
During the inauguration, Junie and Garcia shook hands and buzzed cheeks. The mayor also escorted Garcia around the port before the president’s arrival.
Garcia likewise exchanged pleasantries with Junie’s son, Celestino “Tining” Martinez III.
Clavel, though, did not look Garcia’s way, at least during the unveiling.
The Garcias and the Martinezes have been political rivals since Gwendolyn and Junie ran for governor in 2004. Gwendolyn won.
In 2007, Clavel ran for vice governor under former congressman Antonio Yapha’s slate against the tandem of Garcia and Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez.
The rift appeared to have healed when the Suroy-Suroy sa Sugbo, the Provincial Government’s tourism project, stopped by Bogo City early this month.
Junie welcomed Garcia and her party.
Junie said the situation has its advantages since it is easier now to communicate with the governor.
When asked the same question Clavel answered “I’m a very private person.” (JGA)
