Completion of Sual International Seaport in limbo
DUE TO LACK OF FUNDS
LINGAYEN – The dream to make Pangasinan a major shipping hub in the region and open the gates of industrialization in Pangasinan continues to be elusive.
This was learned after Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. revealed tht the construction of Sual International Seaport in Sual town hit a snag, and its completion remains uncertain since the construction stopped last year.
The project does not have enough funds to complete the construction of the seaport as designed in order to accommodate big ships to dock there.
Espino told local newsmen during the KBP Forum last week that about P700-million more is needed to complete the project.
“When we computed it, the P200-million that would come from the provincial government and P100-million from the local government of Sual are not enough to complete the consturction,” he said.
He said they were not earlier informed about the projected fund deficit to finish the project.
“So I think the status of the seaport is already unclear,” he added.
Espino admitted he is not aware of any plan or option of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) about it.
Originally, the project was expected to be completed in 2015 since it was launched in 2011 with a P500 million budget to be co-shared by three parties: P200 million from PPA and Department of Transportation and Communication, P200 million from the provincial government, and P100 million from the local government of Sual.
Sual Mayor Roberto Arcinue also said in a separate interview that the town would no longer be in a position to provide its P100-million counterpart.
Arcinue, however, remains optimistic that with proper coordination with the PPA, the international seaport project will not become a white elephant.
He said the port has been done but only barges and ro-ro vessels can only dock there.
Arcinue confirmed Espino’s information that a big investor is eyeing to build its own port in Sual.
The international port was envisioned to help Pangasinan export its various products which include minerals like chrome ore, manganese and nickel and in the importation of fertilizers to enable farmers have a cheaper source.
Meanwhile, Espino also expressed doubts about the completion of the airport in Alaminos City. (Tita Roces)
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