CPA told to conduct study on inter-island transport

The Regional Development Council (RDC) 7 has requested the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) to conduct a feasibility study on the Cebu Inter-Island Sea Transport System.

The Cebu Inter-Island Sea Transport System is among the projects under the Infrastructure Development Council (IDC), which is chaired by businessman Glenn Anthony Soco and endorsed by RDC 7 during the full council meeting in Siquijor yesterday.

The project seeks to improve transport by sea that will link mainland Cebu to Mactan Island via Mactan Channel.

The routes that were to form part of the project include Pier 3 in Cebu City to Muelle Osmeña and to the Mactan Economic Processing Zone (Mepz) Wharf both in Lapulapu City, and from the port under Cansaga Bridge in Consolacion to Mepz Wharf and Muelle Osmeña.

The feasibility study will determine the most desirable port links, infrastructure facilities needed and the economic and financial viability of connecting the ports through ferry boats.

At present, there is only one ferry boat system that plies the routes of Pier 3 to Muelle Osmeña and vice versa. RDC 7 also endorsed the proposed Clarin Port Improvement project in Bohol and the universal design features of transportation infrastructure and facilities in the region.

Universal design will promote the development of a guideline for goods, services, equipment and facilities, among others, to meet the needs of persons with disabilities.

Under the economic development committee, the RDC 7 also endorsed the conduct of a feasibility study for the improvement of Can-asunan Dam in Carcar City.

The council has also endorsed the creation and reactivation of the Local Aids Council, which RDC 7 chairman and designer Kenneth Cobonpue described as very important.

Cobonpue said the Philippines is among the countries with a growing number of Aids cases, that is why the reactivation of the Local Aids Council is needed.

The third quarter full council meeting of RDC 7 was held in Siquijor yesterday to help the province promote its potential.

Also present were the regional directors of different line agencies of the government led by National Economic Development Authority 7 Regional Director Efren Carreon, who serves as RDC vice chairman.

Cobonpue said that along with Soco, he toured around the island and Dumaguete City and observed several strengths and weaknesses of the two places.

Cobonpue said a master plan should be made for Siquijor.

Siquijor Gov. Zaldy Villa was grateful for the opportunity for his province to host the meeting.

“Siquijor is becoming a tourist destination in Region 7. In many ways, the RDC plays a big role in our success especially in infrastructure,” he said. /