SENATE President Franklin Drilon, to be assisted by Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Juan Sta Ana, will lead in the inauguration and blessing of the P230-million new river port complex in Lapuz area along the Iloilo River on Friday, September 5.
To be managed by the PPA, the P230-million project will cater to the needs of fast-crafts going to Bacolod City and back, as well as the roll-on–roll-off (roro) vessels going to Manila, Cagayancillo and Palawan.
Three fast-craft companies and three roro vessels will transfer operations from Muelle Loney side of the river to the other side starting Friday and their offices will be dismantled to give way to a wider Muelle Loney street and decongest traffic in the area where many warehouses and storage facilities are located.
The fast-craft companies are Weesam, Ocean Jet and 2GO, while the roro vessels are by FFCruz, Montenegro Shipping Lines and Milagrosa Shipping.
PPA Iloilo port manager Manuel Boholano said earlier that the new port complex was realized with the assistance of Drilon, who pushed for the establishment of a new port upon recommendation of the Iloilo Batiano River Development Council co-chaired by the senator and Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.
The whole port complex includes the construction of berthing facilities, passenger terminal building, site development and dredging of the berthing area at design depth of -4.00MLLW.
Additional works include landscaping, additional facilities for the passenger terminal building, repair of apron and concrete pavement and clearing and demolition of eyesore structures.
Meanwhile, the Transport Management and Traffic Regulation Office has assigned traffic aides to help man the traffic in Lapuz area during the first day of port operation.
The whole stretch of Rizal Street up to Jalandoni Estate has been declared a "No Parking" area.
Similarly, the PPA has allowed the entry of three public utility Lapuz vehicles and at least three taxis to the port area to park and wait for arriving passengers.
Acap said the Lapuz jeepney drivers and operators association will also cooperate by bringing passengers from the city proper to the new port area. (Sunnex)