ARMM gov't begins plan to transform port into economic zone

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines – The government has started negotiating the relocation of some 500 families occupying houses around the Polloc Port in Parang, Maguindanao in preparation for the facility’s rehabilitation and conversion into a regional economic zone.

Lawyer Mimbalawag Mangutara Jr., manager of the Regional Ports Management Authority (RPMA) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), told community leaders in the illegal enclaves, during a dialogue on Monday, that they have a 10.9-hectare land where the settlers can be relocated.

The land was procured by the ARMM government for the settlers to have an area to move in to pave the way for the fencing and construction of more structures and facilities inside the premises of the Polloc Port.

“That parcel of land was purchased according to government accounting procedures to ensure that the settlers will have a good place where to dwell,” Mangutara said.

He said the ARMM’s chief executive, Gov. Mujiv Hataman, is keen on developing a relocation site with basic amenities, if funds will suffice, such as worship sites, a water system and a multi-purpose hall.

The local government unit of Parang also offered to help in the relocation of the illegal settlers.

Engineer Abdulwahab Tunga, provincial administrator of Maguindanao, also assured of the support of Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu in providing needed interventions to hasten the settlers’ relocation to the land the ARMM government offered.

Mangutara and Tunga both said the improvement of Polloc Port is needed to boost the economy of the province, where foreign and local investors have lately been coming in to put up viable multi-million agricultural investments.

“We need to upgrade this port for bigger shipping companies to come in and use it. We also have to make this port conducive to investments as a regional economic zone,” Mangutara said.

The Port Polloc, located at the western coast of Parang town, was established in the early 1980s and has never been upgraded since.

Three big shipping companies ferrying passengers from Maguindanao to Manila have long ceased operating in the province due to the poor condition of the Polloc Port.

“We have tranquility now as a result of the peace process involving the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, but peace alone cannot lure investors and shipping companies, we have to improve this port to become at par with ports in other areas in Mindanao,” Mangutara said.

He said the government has initially allocated P100 million for the rehabilitation of the Polloc Port.

Mangutara said he is optimistic the Mindanao Development Authority, chaired by Lualhati Antonino, will also extend assistance needed in the rehabilitation of the Polloc Port.

The Polloc Port is nearer to Maguindanao and North Cotabato towns, but traders in the two provinces ship their merchandise to Metro Manila and the Visayas via the ports in the faraway cities of Davao and General Santos due to its poor condition.