Consolacion signs P16B international port project agreement

A P16-billion joint venture agreement was signed yesterday by the Municipality of Consolacion and the Mega Harbour Port Development Inc. for the construction of an international container port and bulk terminal project.

Mayor Teresa P. Alegado signed the agreement on behalf of the local government with Mega Harbour president Victor Songco. The signing of agreement was witnessed by Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, Sixth District Representative Jonas Cortes, provincial legal officer Orvi Ortega, municipal and barangay officials.

“It is not impossible for a small local government unit like Consolacion will be entering into this big project,” Alegado said.

According to Alegado, the proposed joint venture agreement went through rigorous process of scrutiny from various government agencies before finally signing the agreement yesterday.

According to Alegado, the municipal government opened the project to interested bidders through Swiss challenge.

Reghis Romero II, Mega Harbour chairman, said the P16.459-billion project will be done in two phases. The first phase involves reclamation of 85 hectares of foreshore and offshore areas in Barangay Tayud and berthing facility of up to 1,200 meters long.

Romero said the project will increase Cebu’s capacity to receive port calls from international vessels.

“Expandable up to 150 hectares, the project involves raw land reclamation and horizontal development,” Romero said.

The phase 2 will cover a 50-hectare commercial complex, road networks and utilities.

Under the agreement, the raw land reclamation shall be constructed and completed within two years and development works for phase 2 in another one and a half years.

Cortes believes that Consolacion will now qualify to become a city. He promised to sponsor a bill in Congress for Consolacion’s cityhood.

At present, Consolacion is classified as a firstclass municipality covering a land area of about 37 square kilometers. The town is relying on its population to achieve its cityhood dream as it can’t meet the land area requirement of 100 square kilometers.

Geographically, the town is bounded by Liloan on the north, Mandaue City on the south, Mactan Channel on the east and on the west by Compostela town and Cebu City.

Consolacion’s local economy is geared more toward the development and operation of housing and subdivision facilities. This is complemented by the presence of several medium-size manufacturing industries.

Consolacion was founded as a town in 1871 and was re-established in 1920.—Garry

B. Lao/FPL