Sunday, October 21, 2007 Capitol urges PPA to fast track port rehab By Edmund B. Sestoso
NEGROS Oriental Governor Emilio Macias II has called on authorities of the Philippine Ports Authority to fast track its more than P100 million port expansion programs at the Dumaguete pier.
The governor’s call was made amidst several calls from stakeholders including Silliman University to secure first the needed environmental requisites before it proceed with its reclamation project at the coastal village of Barangay Looc.
The governor said he was frustrated at the slow implementation of the port agency of its expansion program.
The governor recalled that when he was still congressman, he allocated funds from his Priority Development Fund (PDF) for the pier’s expansion and development.
But it didn’t push through due to some resistance by some sectors.
The governor said the funds that he had secured for the port rehab was diverted to the Tagbilaran port in Bohol province, which the governor said now enjoys the good port facility.
Silliman University and the Citizens Alliance for Responsible Development (Card) have been vocal about their position in urging the PPA to strictly adhere to the laws, science and engineering and due process in its reclamation and expansion.
The governor said he recognizes the position made by Silliman University yet it has to be balanced considering the necessity to have a good port facility for Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental.
Earlier, PPA officials had already met with both the members of the Provincial Board of Negros Oriental and the Dumaguete City Council and had explained their project.
