MANAPLA – The P154-million expansion project for the existing feeder port in Barangay Old Sagay is seen to boost the economy of Sagay City in northern Negros.
The project will be funded through the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in partnership with the World Bank (WB) as its funding agency.
Mayor Alfredo Marañon III received the symbolic check from PRDP officials during the 3rd World Bank Implementation Support Mission held at the Northland Resort Hotel in this town on Wednesday.
Marañon said the project will answer the need to expand the capacity of the feeder port as the city government plans to maximize its connection potentials with areas like Batangas, Cebu, and northern Iloilo.
“We need to extend in deeper portions of the sea in Barangay Old Sagay to cater to more and bigger ro-ro and inter-island vessels," Marañon said.
Aside from increasing the number of cargo vessels, the project which will mainly comprise 280-meter expansion will also serve as fish landing center that will directly connect local fishermen to buyers.
PRDP said a total of 17, 272 residents from 3,648 households will benefit from the project.
“It will now be easier for us to send out our products in huge volumes," Marañon said, adding that feeder port improvements are also seen to double the city government’s revenue.
Currently, the city earns from the port about P2 million annually.
“With better port operations, more businesses will come in resulting to more local employment thus, the project will really boost our economy,” the mayor added.
Under the PRDP, the World Bank funds 80 percent of the total infrastructure project cost with counterparts of 10 percent each from DA and the Provincial Government.
After the turnover of funds, the bidding for the project will be held on December while target completion is within two years.
As construction begins next year, the city will also start tapping potential shipping companies to transport products through its feeder port.