• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The municipal government of Manapla in Negros Occidental is expected to earn P10 million in annual revenues in the operation of Manapla Port and Stevedoring Arastre (MPSA) at the privately-owned port in the northern Negros town.
Mayor Manuel Escalante III said on Saturday (June 14) this is on top of the livelihood opportunities it will provide to Manapla residents.
“We have been waiting many years for this to be realized. It has been a dream for Manaplahanons to have a port,” Escalante said in a press briefing, which was also attended by MPSA officials.
Dave Sarrosa, who is one of the investors, said MPSA’s shipping partner, Lite Ferries Shipping Company, will start the Manapla-Ajuy-Manapla operations on June 28.
Escalante said the MPSA has already secured permits for the operation of the port.
Compared to port charges in Bacolod ports, the rates of Manapla port, which they will announce this week, will be cheaper, Sarrosa said.
In the initial phase of operations, the port will accommodate two vessels, with one round trip every six hours.
Sarrosa said they will add another vessel in the next two months to accommodate the cargo logistic market as well as passengers.
Travel time from Manapla to Ajuy and vice versa is one hour and 30 minutes.
MPSA said its port in Barangay Punta Salong is the final link to complete the new nautical route from Manapla, Negros Occidental to Panay via the Philippine Ports Authority port in Ajuy, Iloilo.
The Lite Ferries Shipping Company is also opening another route soon, from Manapla Port to Concepcion Port also in Iloilo, MPSA said.
“These routes are faster, better than other sea vessel routes, very advantageous to passengers and offers more cargo space,” it added.
MPSA is designed as an inclusive development with facilities built for the end-user and managed by the community. | GB
