ILOILO CITY – Local government officials anticipate a prompt national government approval of the proposed Iloilo City International Port project pursued by the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI).
The city council under Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas has issued the resolution urging the Department of Transportation to expedite the privatization, repair and improvement of the city’s port facilities in Barangay Loboc, Lapuz district.
Under the Iloilo City Local Development Council Executive Committee’s Resolution No. 2 series of 2023 issued on October 19, the improvement of port facilities is urgently needed given ramped up economic activities in the region that posted growth averaging rate 9.3 percent.
According to city officials, this was higher than even the national average of only 7.2 percent.
The city council said the privatization of the port through public-private partnership is considered “the most expeditious and efficient course of action to expand, improve and develop” the facility with “minimal to no financial burden on the government.”
Treñas also told reporters that the port badly needs improvement as its facilities have not been improved since it was established in the 1970s.
“The (ICTSI) presented a proposal to our local economic development office. They proposed to convert the property into a container port to improve berthing facilities, add equipment. I think they want to develop a roll on, roll off port since at the moment we have no such terminal. If ICTSI comes in, we will be able to accommodate more international and domestic vessels,” Treñas said.
