By EUGENE ADIONG
MURCIA, Negros Occidental — A Negrense party-list representative believes the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) should be made answerable for its “anomalous” projects in Negros Occidental.
Stephen Paduano of Abang Lingkod also criticized PPA for “competing” with the city’s port under the Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. (Bredco) by operating and planning to expand the Banago port.
Paduano cited the Pulupandan port, which he described as “white elephant.” He said PPA spent P300 million for that port.
Aguisan port in Himamaylan City, according to PPA, is “one of the busiest ports in the Philippines,” he said.
But “while it is operating, what it earns [is not enough] for the cost of its development,” he said. “What [kind of] investor will invest [in a port] where the road is unrepaired and the bridge leading to it is one-way?”
He said the agency spent P108 million for the construction of Aguisan port.
These projects, he said, cost the government millions of pesos in losses.
Paduano said these in light of the PPA’s controversial plan to develop Banago port.
Bredco is against the planned development, saying that boosting the operation of Banago port will put their business at a disadvantage.
Paduano is a member of the House of Representatives committee on urban and housing development, which inspected the Banago port last week.
The committee chair, Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez of Negros Occidental’s 3rd District, said they will go against PPA’s plan unless the agency relocates the informal settlers that would be affected by its project.
Paduano said PPA gets about 70 percent of its income in Negros Occidental from the Bredco port at the reclamation area here.
“Now [it is] going to compete with Bredco port when the thrust of the government is public-private partnership,” he stressed.
He said PPA must have a clear plan for the about 1,000 informal settlers that will be affected by the port development.
Rep. Giorgidi Aggabao of Isabela’s 4th District has filed a resolution seeking an investigation of PPA, Paduano said.
Asked about the port zone delineation plan that PPA submitted to the City Council for approval, the solon said, “I have the support of majority of [City Council] members. They will not approve it unless it is clear what will happen to the informal settlers.”
The City Development Council had already approved the plan.
Paduano said he is ready to talk about the matter with Mayor Monico Puentevella./PN
