P3-billion seaport eyed in northern Aurora

CASIGURAN, Aurora , Philippines  – A P3 billion seaport expected to further perk up trade and commerce in this province will be developed in this coastal town next year, according to the Aurora Special Economic Zone Authority.

Vitaliano Sabalo Jr., ASEZA deputy administrator, told The STAR that the design for the seaport will be undertaken by Rizhao Development Corp., an expert in the design, construction and operation of seaports.      

Sabalo, representing ASEZA and RDC, led by its chief executive officer Richard Shen signed the memorandum of understanding for the proposed seaport at the authority’s office in Ayala Avenue, Makati Tuesday.

RDC, which is 60 percent Filipino-owned and 40 percent Chinese, undertook the rehabilitation of the P4.9-billion seaport in Masinloc, Zambales. The proposed seaport will be the second such project in this town following the completion of the P63-million, 212-meter seaport by Cavacon Corp. RDC has offered to design the APECO port at its own expense.

Under the three-page MOU, a copy of which was furnished The STAR, the firm will survey within 45 days from its signing the suitable site for port development in this town and submit its preliminary design by January 2010. It will likewise assist ASEZA in identifying the funding source for the port development project.

Sen. Edgardo Angara, who negotiated the deal between RDC and ASEZA, said that the partnership between the two marks another milestone toward the vision of making APECO a prominent transshipment hub in the country, being strategically located along the Pacific Coast and close to major trade capitals in Asia. He said that in keeping with this vision, ASEZA would soon locate an airport, creating a tri-modal system of land, air and sea.