THE Provincial Government of Northern and other stakeholders are keen on having a new and ecologically sound seaport to solve port congestion and bring more economic activities in the province.
“Much as we want this project realized, we need to know its cost to the environment -- the lesser cost to the environment, the better,” said Engr. Romeo Cardenas, provincial planning and development coordinator, during the recently concluded meeting initiated by the local government of Lavezares for the feasibility study and formulation of the master plan of the selected ports.
In a statement released by the Northern Samar Provincial Information Office, it identified Barangay Barobaybay in Lavezares as the main site for the proposed seaport, with two other barangays -- Villa Flores and San Agustin -- included for consideration.
The result was based on the initial coordination between the local government of Lavezares and Gammacon Builders Inc. (GBI), an engineering consultancy services company “engaged by the Philippine Ports Authority to undertake the initial procedures for the project which comprises 10 ports throughout the country, of which the Port of Lavezares is a part of.”
According to the Provincial Government, the proposed Lavezares Port is a counterpart to the opening of Santa Magdalena Port in Sorsogon.
“I have travelled to a lot of places in the Philippines; and I have found out that those who have developed and progressed rapidly are those areas with sea ports,” said Lavezares Mayor Editor Saludaga.
Citing Saludaga, the Provincial Government said Lavezares “can provide the shortest route with the proposed Santa Magdalena Port in Sorsogon and these ports can be used to complement existing sea routes not just to hasten delivery of relief aids during disasters but most importantly, to promote local tourism and create more economic activities.”
However, other stakeholders aired concerns over the impact of the proposed site, noting that the coast and the islands of Lavezares are part of the Biri-LaRoSa Protected Landscape/Seascape, a protected area made official through Proclamation 291, s. 2000.
“There should be an assessment underwater; of the project’s impact on the mangroves, sea grass, corals and the community as part of the scoping (in the Environmental Impact Assessment process),” said Nestor Collamar, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) protected area superintendent.
“We are not against development. We will support (the project) as long as it will pass the proper protocol,” added Dr. Myrna Ogoc, University of Eastern Philippines professor and member of the Biri-LaRoSa Protected Area Management Board.
While Ogoc identified Barangay Barobaybay as an ecologically fragile area, she also hoped that there will be two to three other options if ever Barobaybay will not pass the initial environmental assessment of DENR.
According to the provincial information office, GBI Project Manager Lourdes Manatad assured that they will take all concerns into consideration.
The GBI official also shared that they have had projects that pushed through in other protected areas, like in Palawan and in Batanes.
Manatad said that in choosing the final site for the Lavezares port, they are considering the willingness of the shipping companies to use this proposed port, the possibility of expansion to accommodate big vessels, and the resiliency of the site against natural hazards.
“From one vessel using the Matnog-Northern Samar route in the 1980s, there are now 14 vessels operating in the same route. Damages to Matnog Port and harsh sea conditions, both regularly occurring, can cause hundreds of vehicles and thousands of passengers stranded on both sides of this sea route,” said the provincial information office, citing a data gathered by GBI.
At present, the Matnog ferry terminal in Sorsogon is the only port in Luzon available to travelers and vessels coming to the Visayas and Mindanao through the northeastern seaboard of the country.
Its counterparts in Northern Samar are the government-owned San Isidro ferry terminal and the privately owned sea ports in Allen, Northern Samar.
Travel time to and from Northern Samar ports and Matnog port is about hour and 30 minutes. (SunStar Philippines)