Business in port area threatened with closure

TALIBON – TO close or not to close?

The above poser took the better part of local officials and the winning contractor here who have to lay their cards on the table. The real issue, would the winning contractor start the flurry of activities and allow passengers to stray into the hard hat area and perhaps court accident? Or for the local leaders to allow the use of an alternative port so as to keep local business here alive and possibly kicking?

This as the port area is on the verge of closing, not out of bankruptcy, but to allow the P71M port improvement to sail through unhindered and unhampered. The port development's winning bidder, JRY Construction has started installing their heavy equipment and other construction materials and makeshift offices.

Set to start last May 3 but was only able to mobilize construction materials and equipment lately, the contractors' work schedule detailed they should have driven the reclamation and foundation piles for the extension of pier by now. It only started last June 16. JRY Construction's Engr. Hubert Mitmit disclosed during a consultative meeting at the CPG Memorial Session Hall that the port construction works is set to end after 360 calendar days or from May 3 to April 27.

Congressman Roberto Cajes, (Bohol II) and presiding officer of the meeting Mayor Juanario Item along with Vice Mayor Restituto Auxtero and SB members gathered and exchanged ideas on the best for Talibon. With them were Philippine Ports Authority Raul Oblenda, Engr. Hubert Mitmit, Talibon PPA Terminal Supervisor Carlito Elizaga, Engr. Lorenzo Flores, municipal engineer, Vicenta Garcia, shipping operator and Romeo Alvarez, president Talibon chamber of commerce.

One of the top issues tackled during the meeting was the contractor's proposal to close the port operation when the civil works is fully undertaken. Oblenda, when given the floor recalled that in a meeting in Manila , the winning bidder had shown intent on closing the port operations so as not to be disturbed. “Being the manager, it is my desire not to close the port while the construction is going on, but in case there is no possible way, then I may agree to close the port because the contract states it has to be done in 360 days,” Oblenda said.

In the scope of works, Engr. Mimit said they need to develop the reclamation followed by the causeway. With this, he reiterated that while it is not that they want to disrupt the flow of goods to the town, they also look for the safety of the people. Speaking for the town, Councilor Artiaga told everyone that closing the port operation deals a good loss to local businessmen and the municipality because all business activities in the area would be greatly affected.

While Oblenda said his office is still exploring ways to avert a closure, they still have not fully agreed with Manila on the developments. Pending any decision, the body tried scouting for an alternative solution and agreed to consider opening Bagacay wharf or temporarily using Getafe port. With the development, the PPA and the contractor were now tasked to conduct actual survey on Bagacay wharf if it could cater to small boats, while the technical data would be presented in the next meeting.

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