The Pulupandan Port in Negros Occidental has resumed full operations under the management of the Negros Coastal Terminal Inc. (NCTI).
Vice Governor Jeffery Ferrer and Pulupandan Mayor Miguel Peña led the cutting of the ribbon at the port inauguration Tuesday, April 8.
The NCTI won the concession to operate the port for the next 15 years, Richie Villasana, Philippine Ports Authority Division Manager, said.
The PPA will be their partner on the government side, he said.
They are expecting local and international cargo vessels to dock at the port, Villasana said.
The new management will be bringing in bigger equipment for loading operations and cargo handling, he said.
Roll-on/roll-off vessels do not operate at the port, but a fastcraft plies the Pulupandan-Guimaras route, Villasana said.
The Pulupandan port will complement the Negros-Guimaras Bridge to be built from the Pulupandan end, he said.
Korean surveyors for the bridge are currently doing surveillance work in Pulupandan, he said.
The materials for the construction of the Panay-Guimaras bridge will be shipped in through the Pulupandan Port, Villasana said.
They are expecting windmill equipment to also be shipped in through the Port of Pulupandan during the next five years for wind power projects, he said.
Peña said the Pulupandan port under the NCTI management has the full support of the local government.
Businessman Willy Au, Pulupandan Mayor Miguel Peña, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, Father Jeffrey Flores, Johnny Uy, PPA Port Manager Rodel Lagman and NCTI Manager Gemelyn Reynoso (l-r) at the port inauguration.*Maxine Barrientos photos
Ferrer said the port will bring economic progress not just to Pulupandan but also to the entire Negros Occidental and will create more jobs.
Pulupandan Councilor Federico Infante Jr. said the port will be a catalyst for growth in Pulupandan.
“This is the break that we have all been waiting for… to bring economic windfalls for everyone,” he said.
Gemelyn Reynoso, NCTI general manager, said the port will drive economic growth and innovation through intermodal transportation.
“On behalf of Negros Coastal Terminals Inc. we would like to formally announce that, we are ready to operate the port”, she said.*