In Maya, Daan Bantayan: Mayor allows use of unfinished port

CEBU, Philippines - Some private and passenger boats plying to and from Malapascua Island are currently using the roll-on/roll-off port in Maya, Daanbantayan as docking area even if it is not yet finished.

Daan Bantayan Mayor Augusto Corro said that he is allowing pump boats to dock at the unfinished RoRo port while he is still checking the status of the project which was started by the previous administration.

An existing wharf, privately-owned by the Abucay family, was reportedly closed upon the order of Corro because Maya Barangay Captain Elvir Ali Abucay is not his ally.

Corro denied the report, saying he just did not issue a mayor’s permit for non-compliant of the requirements.

He said most pump boats are still using the Abucay wharf while some are in the nearby RoRo port.

“Wa ko mohatag of permit kay wa man ka-comply sa requirements, wala nako gipasira,” Corro said.

Corro also added he already stopped the previous collection of P5 for each passenger at the private wharf following his refusal to issue a permit.

The P5 collection from each passenger was divided by the Abucay family, the municipal government and the barangay.

The matter was brought up by Provincial Board Member Sun Shimura during the 888 News Forum held at Marco Polo Plaza recently.

The FREEMAN tried to contact Abucay but failed.

Meanwhile, fourth district Representative Benhur Salimbangon is hoping Governor Hilario Davide III will make true of his promise to look into the project.

“We hope the provincial government again will look into this seriously,” Salimbangon said.

Salimbangon earlier said the provincial government seems hesitant to carry out its part stipulated in the tripartite agreement signed in 2011 during the time of former governor now third district Representative Gwendolyn Garcia.

The access road connecting the main highway to the port/causeway was already undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways through the effort of Salimbangon.

The Cebu Port Authority cannot proceed with the construction of the RoRo ramp unless the causeway is completed.

The construction of the causeway and other port facilities, which is supposed to be under the provincial government, has been stalled when Garcia’s term ended last year. — Gregg M. Rubio with Juliet C. Cardente, CNU Intern/ATO (FREEMAN)