Dumangas mayor to review port deal

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Dumangas Mayor Rolando Distura will review the "compromise agreement" between former Mayor Ronaldo Golez and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) over the operation of the Dumangas port.

Distura decided to look into the agreement after learning that only a minimal percentage of the port’s income goes to the town.

Distura said that since the port started operating in 2007, it earns P43,685 per day or P 15. 7 million a year from six vessels owned by shipping companies Tri-Star, Montenegro and Millenium.

In the past three years, however, only P100,000 has reportedly being remitted to the municipal treasurer's office, the mayor said.

"The share they gave to the municipality could not compensate the situation we are suffering and experiencing right now particularly the damages on provincial and municipal roads, traffic accidents and even the perception of the public that the port is made to be the entry point for illegal drugs," Distura said.

Distura also said his review will focus more on how the town can get a bigger share from the port's operations. He is also reportedly considering taking back the management of the port.

Distura said he has already channeled the concern to Senate President Franklin Drilon, himself an Ilonggo, and Drilon has reportedly requested for important documents on the matter.

The mayor recalled that in 2007, the Regional Trial Court (RTC) issued a ruling that the local government unit has the power and authority to operate the port.

This authority, however, was reportedly set aside after Golez claimed that the town has no capacity to operate pending incoming funds from the national government.

Under the compromise agreement, the PPA will manage the port temporarily while the municipal government has no capacity to operate. It was also stated that while PPA is managing the port, residents of the town can work at the port and that the municipality will have a share of the collections.

It was also reportedly agreed that the PPA will update the town council of how the partnership is being carried out.

However, several former members of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) had claimed the agreement was not followed to the letter.

Former councilor Dale Azucena said it was reportedly announced that the national government will give the town millions of pesos to develop the port, but the money won't be given if the town would shoulder the improvement.

Azucena said he does not know if money was given to their municipality, considering that they were reportedly not updated on the operations of the port.

"It is a clear manifestation that this administration deceived the Municipal Council and people of this town. There was even no consultation and approval from us," he said in a previous interview. — (FREEMAN)