Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz*
The Negros Occidental provincial government is working to gain control and develop two ports in the south.
They are the Bulata port in Cauayan and the Salvacion port in Hinoba-an, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said on Tuesday, Oct. 22.
The defunct Maricalum Mining Corp. owes the provincial government taxes so they can commence the auction process on the port, Diaz said.
“Perhaps in the process the property can become provincial gov’t owned so that we can help develop it for the municipality (Cauayan)…it is ideal for an international port,” he said.
Diaz said the provincial government has also won its case seeking the expropriation of more than 90 hectares, which includes the Salvacion port in Hinoba-an.
More than P50 million has been allocated for the relocation of informal settlers on the property, he said.
He said the provincial government could develop the ports itself or go into public private partnerships.*