Consolacion hopeful on port transfer

CEBU, Philippines - Consolacion Mayor Teresa Alegado hopes that the plan of former Cebu governor Emilio "Lito" Osmeña 20 years ago of constructing an international port in the town will come into realization.

Mayor Alegado recalled that during the incumbency of Osmeña as governor of Cebu, he came to an idea of transferring the international port from Cebu City to Barangay Tayud in Consolacion.

According to Mayor Alegado, Osmeña believed transferring the port from the capital city to other areas like Consolacion will decongest the traffic in Mandaue and Cebu cities.

The traffic congestion at the Cebu International Port area is reportedly caused by big trucks hauling cargoes inside the area.

Alegado also believes that transferring the International Port to Consolacion will contribute to the economic development of the town.

At present, Barangay Tayud in Consolacion town hosted different ship repairs for domestic and international vessels.

Meanwhile, Cebu Ports Authority General Manager Edmund Tan confirmed the plan to transfer the International Port from Cebu City to other place.

Although Consolacion was one of those identified as possible places for the transfer of the international port, no final decision has been reached yet.

Tan said aside from the study conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, another study is also being conducted by Korean experts.

Tan said the completion of the road widening at the Cebu North Coastal Road should be given priority by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

The national government needs huge amount of fund for the transfer of the international port, Tan added. — Jose P. Sollano (FREEMAN)