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WITH its proximity to inter-regional and national trade destinations, the port in Barangay Polambato in Bogo City, Cebu is seen as a convenient channel for local shipping and logistics.
After its accreditation with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, the port was declared an open harbor for cargo and logistics shipments.
Officials said the port can accommodate direct routes to Leyte, Negros Occidental, Bacolod, Iloilo and Manila.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Cebu business development division chief Elias Tecson, in a interview last week, said many shipping and logistics companies currently take connecting trips from the port of Tabuelan, Cebu, which extends the travel time of cargoes and freights.
Tecson said Polambato will be a significant contribution to the shipping industry in northern Cebu and in the southern Philippines as soon as its port is developed and its arrangements with shipping companies formalized.
Tecson said the local government unit (LGU) of Bogo tapped DTI for a joint effort in promoting awareness on the potential of Polambato’s port as a gateway for possible domestic investments.
Investment forum
DTI held an investment forum for Polambato’s port on April 25 at the Rajah Park Hotel in Cebu City.
The forum was attended by delegates from Bogo’s LGU with Bogo Mayor Celestino Martinez III, participants from Cebu Port Authority (CPA), truckers association, travel and tour operator groups and Medallon Shipping Corp. (MSC).
MSC was the first to confirm interest on the project and emphasized its commitment to operate at the Polambato port by designating one large cargo and shipment vessel in the area.
Tecson said another company from Leyte also expressed willingness to take part on the plan.
To complement its operations, MSC also called for the commitment of forwarding companies on the proposal.
Officials recommended additional excavations within the vicinity of Polambato’s port to help big vessels, which are the main targets of the project.
Stakeholders of the project are set to meet after the elections.
Tourism industry
Tecson said the promotion of Polambato’s port will signal an improved shipping commerce in Bogo and will likely expand business opportunities with neighboring areas.
He said the development of the port will help Bogo’s tourism industry as well. Tecson said Polambato is a strategic take-off point to tourist and diving sites in the north such as Bantayan Island, Malapascua Island and Isla Capitancillo.
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