ENRIQUE B. Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon said Tuesday, February 14, that the roll-on, roll-off port located in Manta-angan village will be completed and operational within the year.
Malacon said the port is a public-private partnership project of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental and F.F. Cruz and Co. Inc.
Study showed that traveling from Manta-angan village, E.B. Magalona to Bay-ang, Ajuy in Iloilo Province is nearer compared to the existing one from Bacolod to Dumangas.
Taking the Manta-angan route will save travelers about 30 minutes, Malacon said.
The Municipal Government is not spending any amount for the port development, but will gain from the taxes once the port will operate, the mayor added.
Fishing boats can also dock at the port, he said.
Malacon said they are encountering difficulties in negotiating with landowners for the town’s drainage system to address the flooding problem.
He added that Third District Representative Alfredo Benitez and Abang Lingkod party-list Representative Stephen Paduano have already allocated funds for the drainage system.
"We hope to convince the landowners when we meet with them," the mayor added.