WHEN found to be truly feasible, a huge future awaits Tapal Port in Ubay. This as provincial officials want to go through a feasibility study to determine the viability of making the Ubay alternate wharf as the main hub of the multi-industry cluster (MIC) which Governor Erico Aumentado presented recently to Korean officials. During the governor's presentation to Korean officials during the Korea-Philippine Economic Cooperation in Seoul two months ago, he proposed the MIC and revealed development projects on bioethanol, organic fertilizer and bio-mass power generation from red algae. Days after Aumentado's presentation, it was reported that a team from the Korean Overseas International Cooperation Agency sent an evaluation team to survey the promised 25,000 hectares of sea waters for the seaweeds farms in Bohol's northeastern towns. The team found great promise in the Bohol MIC plan, especially with Bio-systems of Korea showing great interest in the green energy development.

Aumentado then succeeded in sourcing out a Korean grant of $2.9 million for the seaweeds research facility. Now seeing the propriety of putting up the necessary infrastructure support for the future shipment requirements of goods in and out of Bohol, local officials eye the Tapal wharf which has very deep waters, reports Provincial Provincial Planning Officer John Titus Vistal. Updating the Boholanos during the weekly The Governors Reports, Vistal said Tapal wharf, Ubay's alternate sea exit would be the perfect option. Tapal is within close proximity to the seaweed farms and its research facility, and its deep waters can accommodate even huge cargo ships, should the MIC go full steam. Aumentado, who sees a rare opportunity to spur employment in Bohol eyes some 50,000 to 100,000 jobs to do variety of tasks at the seaweed farms, one which he expects to be a good alternative livelihood for the illegal fishers who are now being chased out of the waters. (PIA)