CPA eyes construction of another port at Pier 4

CEBU, Philippines – Seeing the need for an additional port in Cebu, the Cebu Port Authority is eyeingthe construction of a P400-million port at Pier 4 to accommodate other shipping vessels docking in the province.

CPA general manager Edmund Tan presented the said proposal during the Provincial Development Council Executive Committee meeting last week.

Tan said they saw the need to expand the existing ports in the city since there is no more berthing space for additional vessels docking in Cebu.

“Modawat ‘ta og other vessels nga moabot kalit sa ato. Dapat naa ta’y leeway nga mabutangan nato. Wa na daw space for other vessels so mag-anchor sa ang barko before modunggo,” he said.

He added that the new port will also serve as a stocking area for cargoes.

The new port, Tan said, shall have the same design and form of Pier 2, but will be wider by 10 meters.

Targeted to be done within 18 months, the construction of the new port will be divided into two phases. The first phase will start this month, he adds.

Tan said they will get the funds from their budget this year and next year.

“Phase 1 kay P200 million, Phase 2 kay another P200 million,” he said.

After the two phases, Tan said they will determine and assign shipping vessels that will be accommodated at the new port.

Earlier, CPA also proposed to establish a new passenger terminal for fast crafts in Cebu City to decongest passenger traffic in sea ports and avoid confusion among local and foreign travelers.

The P350-million Passenger Terminal 3 that will be constructed at the site of the old 2Go and Supercat Terminal in Pier 4 is targeted to be finished in two years.

During the PDC meeting, CPA also presented its other medium-term projects for this year, including the P478-million dredging of Cebu Channel at Cebu International Port and pedestrian overpass at Cebu Port.

CPA also showed its short-term projects such as the P50-million installation of ten light buoys along Lawis Ledge; P40-million extension of roll-on roll-off ramp and expansion of backup area in Tangil Port, Dumanjug; P8-million renovation of terminal office and creation of one-stop shop at Cebu Port; P6-million development of Danao Port; and upgrading of lighting systems at Cebu Port worth P60 million.

CPA also presented projects funded by the Department of Transportation and Communication that include P22.66-million jetty port in Malapascua; P40-million port in Maya, Daanbantayan; P14.12 –million jetty port in Barangay Pasil, Kinatarcan Island; and P40-million repair and extension of Pilar port in Camotes Island. —/NSA (FREEMAN)