PPA-6 revives "underutilized" seaports in WV

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Ports Authority-6 (PPA-6) has assured the public that three underutilized seaports in Western Visayas could be utilized to serve their purpose soon.

This after the Commission on Audit (COA) has released its latest report that around P 142 million worth of seaports in Region 6 have remained underutilized after their completion five years ago.

As a result, COA said these ports failed to earn enough revenues to enable the government to recover the cost of construction.

The COA report referred to ports of Guimbal and Concepcion towns, all in Iloilo, and of Sibunag in Guimaras Island.

PPA-6 public information officer Rodel Lagmay said the reason why these ports were not utilized because those projected traffic or ship calls, which were based on its feasibility studies prior to the ports'completion, fail to be realized.

Lagmay cited the case of Sibunag port where PPA-6 spent almost P101 million for its construction but did not push through due to unsuccessful roll-on, roll- off (Ro-Ro) operations bound for Negros Occidental province and Panay area.

Lagmay however said alternative ways are now being looked into for the ports to be used. As such, the PPA-6 had issued a space availability certificate for Montenegro Shipping after it applied for berthing use.

Once their papers will be approved by the Maritime Industry Authority, this shipping company will use the port twice a day.

In Guimbal, Lagmay said the port was built to cater to commercial vessels for massive transfer of resources. He said PPA-6 spent almost P18 million to further improve the existing facility at the area because of the far distance from the next port of San Jose town in Antique.

Lagmay said PPA-6 had already allowed SeaOil to construct its berthing area at the port after the company started using the facility for its operation a few months ago.

In the case of Concepcion port, Lagmay said it was constructed with the budget of P23 million to serve vessels of the proposed coal-fired power plant in this town but since the plant construction has not yet been started, the port remain unutilized.

Lagmay however said there is now an applicant who wishes to operate the port for its cargo handling services. The PPA-6 is still reviewing the application and some pertinent papers for the company's operation.

"As you could see, not all ports are underutilized although ports are not regularly used but there are still unprogrammed activities thereat," he said.

PPA's primary task is to stimulate and regulate growth of ports, with more inclination to render services than aim for more profit.

Presently, PPA-6 is managing 16 local seaports while supervising 40 private ports in Western Visayas. (FREEMAN)