The municipal government of EB Magalona Friday signed a memorandum of agreement with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) for the construction, management, and operations of the Saravia Municipal Port in Barangay Tuburan.
The MOA signing at the Asenso Hall, public plaza Nov. 17, was led by Mayor Marvin Malacon, representing the municipal government, with Vice Mayor Eric Matulac and Engr. Rodel Lagmay, acting port manager of the PPA Port Management Office Negros Occidental, signing as witnesses.
The MOA will be sent to the Office of PPA general manager, Atty. Jay Daniel Santiago, also for his signature, a press release from the LGU said.
Malacon said it has been his vision since his administration started in 2016 to revive the old port in Barangay Tuburan. He thanked the PPA for supporting his vision and to make this dream of every Saraviahanon come true.
The municipality will soon have two ports, the one currently being operated by a private company is in Barangay Manta-angan.
The Saravia Municipal Port will be the first in EB Magalona that will be operated by the national government. This means that the municipality will soon become a busy gateway to Negros Island for those coming from Panay Island, Malacon said.
“The soon-to-be-constructed Saravia Municipal Port is expected to bring more economic opportunities to EB Magalona and will have a ripple effect in terms of growth and development of the town, and will be felt even by the next generations,” the mayor stressed.
Matulac said the port will be “another legacy” of the Malacon administration for EB Magalona.
The Sangguniang Bayan, led by Matulac, unanimously passed Resolution No. 2023- 170 on Nov. 13, authorizing Malacon to sign the MOA with the PPA on the management and operation of the Saravia Municipal Port.
At the signing ceremony today, Malacon endorsed the port operations to the PPA and transferred the jurisdiction of the Saravia Municipal Port from the municipal government to the PPA that shall then “manage, operate, develop, administer, and maintain the port”.
Lagmay said they will endorse the MOA to the PPA Board of Directors for technical evaluation and for funding next year.
Lagmay acknowledged the initiative of Malacon to revive the old port in the town, by partnering with the PPA. He added that the new port will provide alternate route for travel between Panay and Negros islands, and will serve as a “catalyst for change” in economic trade in the region.
Also in attendance at the MOA signing were SB members Gilda Parcon, Edgardo Agravante Jr., Gelita Parcon, Reylan Gamboa Sr., Joey Pugales, and Isidro Gomed Jr., former SK Federation president Edgar Jun Agravante, newly-elected officials of Barangay Tuburan, led by punong barangay Rolly Isugon;
Port Services Division manager Arlyn Caraig, acting Engineering Services Division manager Engr. Richel Arceo, Danao (Escalante) Terminal Management Office Division manager Rina Sagansay, PPO chief port police officer King Philip Cagas, department and office heads of the municipal government, and sectoral leaders.||
