November 02, 2010
STATE-RUN Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is preparing a strategic framework to develop the Manila harbor, saying it will have to reclaim 200 hectares of land to ease congestion and expand port services.
In a statement, the government agency said its charter includes powers "to reclaim, excavate, enclose, or raise any part of the lands vested in the Authority."
"In the exercise of these powers, Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Jose P. de Jesus gave PPA the go signal to undertake this project which can be expected to include reclamation work [to build facilities for] handling bulk commodities," the agency said.
In the same statement, PPA general manager Juan C. Sta Ana said the area between Pasig River and South Harbor, in front of Engineering Island, offers "huge potentials for commercial port operations."
"The strategic framework seeks to create additional space for hosting facilities that have not yet been made available in completed and/or proposed port projects in Metropolitan Manila without adding to the problem of congestion of ports," he said.
Mr. Sta. Ana said a reclaimed area of about 200 hectares within the Port Zone Delineation of the Port of Manila can accommodate the needs of investors who have already signified interest on the long-term operation of commercial ports.
The area will "cater to a wide range of dry or liquid bulk cargoes such as wheat/flour, minerals, petroleum products, and others which at present have to be rerouted to other sites or handled shipside because of lack of or inadequate accessible Manila-based bulk handling facilities," the agency said. -- Aura Marie P. Dagcutan
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