The bidding for the dredging project of the Hagnaya Channel in San Remigio town has started and the project is expected to be completed sometime in the middle of the year, said Cebu fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon recently.
The dredging, with a completion period of 180 days and a total cost of close to P40 million, has been meant to ensure the safe operations of vessels that would dock at the Hagnaya wharf.
Salimbangon said his request for funds for the project was already approved by President Gloria Arroyo and the Cebu Port Authority has already started the project bidding.
The P40 million budget includes P2.5 million for the purchase and installation of solar-powered lighted markers that will guide mariners to the location of the dredged area and make navigation safer even during low tide, he said.
Salimbangon sought the help of Arroyo for the project to avoid a similar incident where several people died in Hagnaya Channel a few years ago when the banca, ferrying passengers of an interisland vessel offshore into the wharf, had capsized.
“Tungod man god kay mosangad na man ang lansa kon hunas ang dagat, mapugos intawon pagbalhin ang pasahero og sakay ngadto sa mga bangka aron makaabot sila sa pantalan. Peligro kaayo nga matikyaob na usab og may kinabuhi na usab nga makalas,” Salimbangon said.
Due to the hard rocks and corals in the area, however, the dredging may dragged the estimated completion period of the project. — Rene U. Borromeo/RAE