CATAGBACAN, Loon – The Committee on Zoning of the provincial board is set to give a favorable endorsement for the proposed port zone here when it reports on Tuesday's regular session, this according to its committee chair Dr. Bienvenido C. Molina. Molina and committee member Board Member Amalia R. Tirol and his staff conducted an ocular inspection in this booming seaport being utilized by Lite Shipping company and other vessels to inter island ferry service. Molina's committee is tasked to make recommendation to the delineation of the proposed project in this area based on the Provincial Development Council Resolution No. 05-2010. Molina and Tirol saw for themselves the almost-completed development or expansion of the concrete port of Catagbacan, which is about 30 meters deep. Both conferred with the Loon municipal officials as to the supporting documents for the port zone.

Finding the area conducive to big cruise ships that may be calling port, Molina said he would favorably endorsed for approval by the Sangguiang Panlalawigan. PDC wanted the port zone defined and drawn based on the proposal. The proposal referred to the Committee on Zoning “covers a total area of 378,444.58 square meters and a land area of 3,050 square meters,” the PDC Resolution said. The PDC resolution cited as ground for the port zone demarcation is that the improvement of ports for national economic progress and “there are available funds therefore appropriated by the Philippine Ports Authority,” is one of the basic programs of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. “Said port zone is ideal for big commercial vessels, and may substantially contribute to the increase of the income of the municipality of Loon, Bohol,” said the PDC resolution. Aside from the endorsement of the provincial board, the proposal is also forwarded to the Regional Development Council for support as well. (RVO)