By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL
KALIBO, Aklan — In preparation for Boracay’s possible hosting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit ministerial meetings next year, the government will develop two ports in Malay town into “all-weather ports.”
The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is allocating P207 million for infrastructure projects in Caticlan Port and P71 million for the extension and widening of Cagban Port, Caticlan Port administrator Niven Maquirang said.
DOTC is set to bid out the Caticlan Port development, while the Cagban Port expansion project will soon be under way.
“We hope DOTC can start the bidding for Caticlan Port (development) so the project can commence soon,” Maquirang said.
The APEC National Organizing Council last week inspected hotels and accommodation facilities here as part of venues screening.
“Our resorts and hotels may be ready, but our roads and ports still need to be developed,” Maquirang said.
Municipal Councilor Rowen Aguirre revealed that Boracay’s hosting of APEC meetings is now awaiting President Benigno Aquino III’s approval.
Malay mayor John Yap designated Aguirre to head an interagency local task group in preparing the municipal government for the APEC Summit.
The task group has been discussing contingency plans with concerned government agencies.
Meanwhile, Maquirang said the development of the ports will eventually enable the facilities to handle about 6,000 daily passengers and a number of international cruise ships in the next five to 10 years.
He said the national government also plans to put up an alternative port north of Barangay Yapak to decongest the volume of passengers at the Cagban Port in Sitio Cagban, Barangay Manoc-manoc. (Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
