Negotiations are underway for the development and use of a port in Brgy. Tuburan, EB Magalona, Negros Occidental, by a shipping company, in the expansion of its operations in Western Visayas, Mayor Marvin Malacon said Oct. 7.
Malacon said the Lite Ferry shipping company, owned by Lucio Sy, is eyeing to develop the Tuburan port, under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme, to accommodate Roll On-Roll Off vessels from Banate, Iloilo to EB Magalona, and vice versa.
The Lite Ferry is also operating in northern Negros and northern Cebu, through the ports of San Carlos and Toledo.
Malacon said they are now waiting for documents from the Philippine Ports Authority on how to push the project through, which is expected to further boost the growing economy of EB Magalona despite the pandemic.
The P150-million two-storey Saravia Commercial Center Mall, meanwhile, is ready for occupancy. It has more than 100 commercial spaces, with the second floor earmarked for the offices of various national government agencies and a function area for big events. The ground floor is allocated for owners of existing market stalls.
Malacon also said that the newly-completed Land Transportation Office building in Brgy. Tabigue, EB Magalona, is up for turnover to the LTO.
Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez, who had pushed for the establishment of an LTO district office in EB Magalona, pointed out that the economic growth in the 3rd District has been driving an increase in the volume of LTO transactions, overwhelming the agency’s office in Bacolod.
Malacon said it will also help boost the economy of EB Magalona.
He also announced the plan of the Police Regional Office 6 to transfer its regional training school from Bakyas in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City, to Brgy. Santo Niño in EB Magalona.
Benitez also plans to push for the establishment of a Sports Academy in the town.
Malacon said that the concreting of a road network connecting Brgy. Canlusong-San Isidro-Consing-Nanca to Tabigue, is ongoing, through the efforts of Rep. Benitez and House minority floor leader, Rep. Stephen Joseph Paduano, with a counterpart from the municipal government. – GB
