SP proposes transfer of RORO port to Dumaguit

By JESSIE REYES

KALIBO, Aklan – The Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) proposes to regulate the docking of roll-on-roll-off (RORO) vessels at the Caticlan jetty port and re-route other vessels to the Dumaguit port in New Washington town.

SP member Rodson Mayor authored the ordinance. Mayor proposed to limit RORO vessels docking at the port to five. Other vessels will have to dock at Dumaguit.

The proposed ordinance was referred to the Committee on Laws, Rules and Ordinances and Environment. A public hearing is set on October 10.

Environment committee chair Plaridel Morania said transferring the docking site of
RORO vessels to Dumaguit port will benefit the ecology.

“The jetty port will be cleared of wastes from the docked vessels,” Morania said in an
interview with Panay News.

He, however, worried the proposed ordinance will affect many.

Caticlan jetty port is part of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s 919-kilometer Strong Republic Nautical Highway project which forms the backbone of a nationwide vehicle-accessible transport system. Re-routing the vessels will be in conflict with that of the national government’s implemented program. Moreover, the Aklan provincial government has a P4 million floated bond spent in the construction of the Caticlan jetty port.

“This will become a white elephant,” Morania said referring to the jetty port once the RORO vessels are limited and re-routed.

During peak season, the provincial government earns P3-4 million from the RORO vessels docking at the jetty port.

Transferring RORO vessels to Dumaguit port would mean less income at the jetty port.
“I don’t think we are ready to give it up,” Morania added.

New Washington passed a resolution asking the august body to re-route some of the vessels docking at the Caticlan to Dumaguit port. The latter is some two hours from Caticlan, the jump-off point to Boracay Island.