MANILA, Philippines - Port operator Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc. (HCPTI) is committed to investing $32 million to develop and modernize several Subic Bay ports despite a legal setback following an Ombudsman ruling.
HCPTI corporate counsel Jerome Canlas made the statement after receiving the copy of an Ombudsman resolution indicting Subic Bay Metropolitan Administration (SBMA) officials for graft.
SBMA has not yet awarded the Manila-based global giant firm the right to develop the ports.
“We will not stay away with the planned development of Subic Freeport into a modern seaport. We are committed to transform these ports into a modern hub capable of handling large cargoes that can ramp up industrial activities in Subic, Clark Freeport Zone and Central and Northern Luzon,†Canlas said.
To date, some Subic ports (excluding the container yard) can only handle 1.3 million metric tons of cargoes and cater mostly on imported rice and fertilizers.
HCPTI said it can fit out state-of-the-art facilities and equipment to turn Subic into a modern port which can handle cargoes up to four million metric tons per year. HCPTI envisions construction of new piers and warehouses and installation of modern cargo handling equipment such as huge cranes and payloaders.
Canlas bewailed that those who filed flimsy charges against HCPTI are those opposing the development of Subic ports for their failure to refurbish and fit out modern facilities despite lording it over Subic for more than 20 years.