Talisay port development needs CPA nod

CEBU, Philippines – Talisay City Councilor Edward Alesna, chairman of the committee on ways and means, wants to give authority to Mayor Johnny De los Reyes to negotiate and enter into a memorandum of agreement with the Cebu Port Authority for the transfer of management, operation and maintenance of the city's port.

"The devolution of the port by the CPA to the local government of Talisay City, Cebu, will significantly increase the area of the facilities allowing the accommodation of bigger flow of cargoes and passengers, and shall certainly add revenues to both institutions and significantly spur economic growth not only to the City of Talisay but also to entire Province of Cebu," according to Alesna in his proposed resolution No.2015-10-11.

The resolution of Alesna will be tackled and discussed on today's council session.

The existing port located at Cebu South Coastal Road in Barangay San Roque was funded by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and falling within the jurisdiction of the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) pursuant to RA 7621.

Recently, De los Reyes signed contract with Asian Marine Transport Corp. for the development of the fish port for the shipping company's operation but it needs an agreement with the CPA to fully develop the port.

The company will pay the city P800,000 a month for the use of the 2.4-hectare lot where the fish port and roll-on-roll-off port are located as they will be investing P500 million for the development and extension of the ro-ro port as a major gateway to Cebu.

The Talisay port is envisioned as a major logistics hub for activities from Manila and Batangas to the Visayas and Mindanao.

Alesna said the city government decided to use the city owned Fish Port which is situated directly adjacent to the port, as part of the roro port facilities together with port and of the CPA, -- through the 5th SP Resolution No. 2015-28 entitled, "A Resolution Granting Authority to the City Honorable Mayor Johnny V. delos Reyes to Execute and Sign a Lease Contract with the Asian Marine Transport Corporation Covering the Real Property Belonging to the City of Talisay Located at the SRP, San Roque Including the Improvements Thereon Consisting of the Fish Port  and Roro Port, with the Consent of the Cebu Ports Authority (CPA) as to the Latter."

Also, in the 5th SP Resolution No. 2015-36 entitled, " A Resolution Requesting the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) to Start the Operation of the PORT situated Beside the Talisay City Fish Port and Clear the Facility from any Occupants Thereon, and Endorsing the Asian Marine Transport Corporation to Use the Facility as a Roro Port".

"By virtue of the SP Resolutions the City Mayor Johnny V. de los Reyes signed a Contract of Lease with the Asian Marine Transport Corporation covering the Talisay City Fish Port and the PORT which is subject to the outcome of the MOA with the CPA," Alesna added.

The Talisay fish port was built during the term of former congressman Eduardo Gullas at a cost of P716 million.