• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The revival of the Bulata Port in Cauayan, Negros Occidental, is being considered by the local government unit concerned.
Cauayan Mayor John Rey Tabujara said they have asked the help of Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson to inquire if the defunct Maricalum Mining Corporation (MMC) is still willing to continue its operation of the Bulata port, which had been closed for several years.
Tabajura added that they will need the help of the provincial government regarding the unpaid taxes of MMC. From there, they may be able to negotiate, the mayor said, apparently referring to the future plans regarding the port.
He confirmed that representatives of the Tsuneishi Heavy Industries of Japan have visited him several times, as they are looking into the Bulata Port as an investment site.
Tabujara said he told them to coordinate first with Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson.
Asked about it, Lacson said that the provincial government of Negros Occidental has no plans yet on what to do with the closed MMC port in Brgy. Bulata, Cauayan.
“We have not decided yet on what to do with that. I would like to think that Maricalum still has a stake in the port. We still have to study that,” the governor said.
Lacson however said that the provincial government is in agreement “to pursue the renovation and revive the port.”
He also lauded Tabujara for finding ways to really improve the economy of his town.
“Having a port is one way of generating income,” Lacson pointed out.*
