The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has joined forces with the provincial government of Northern Samar and the local government of Mapanas for the construction of seaport facilities in the province.
Transportation Undersecretary for Maritime Elmer Francisco Sarmiento said the three proposed port projects in the province are meant to boost the regional economy and connect communities in the province.
“We’re connecting communities such as Mapanas and other municipalities in Northern Samar to the bigger island economies for economic growth,” Sarmiento said in ceremonies highlighted by the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA).
Under the MOA with Northern Samar governor Edwin Marino Ongchuan and Mapanas mayor Ronn Michael Tejano, the DOTr allocated P25 million each for the construction of a port in San Jose and wharf facilities in the municipalities of Allen and Mapanas.
Wharves are typically constructed parallel to the shoreline while ports project out into the sea.
Governor Ongchuan and Mayor Tejano expressed gratitude to the DOTr for the benefits that the port projects will bring to their province and people.
“Malaking bagay po ito for our economic upliftment dahil dito po dadaan sa amin ang mga barges, commercial vessels para po sa mga infrastructure projects na aming tinatayo. Dito po kami nagko-concentrate sa copra buying and copra supplying papunta pong Lucena, papunta po sa ibang probinsya gaya sa Quezon,” said Ongchuan.
“This wharf ay makakadala po ng napakalaking opportunity sa aming bayan na maging competitive pagdating sa presyo ng benta ng mga produktong isda at copra. We are excited sa magiging unchartered development na maitutulong ng wharf not only sa Mapanas but also sa neighboring towns na makikinabang sa wharf,” Mayor Tejano said.
