• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Despite some hitches, Mayor Manuel Escalante is optimistic that the operations will start soon at the Manapla port in Negros Occidental.
“All the Manaplanahons are excited for the operation of the port because it will boost our economy; the rice trading will be faster from Panay to Negros Occidental,” Escalante said as he expressed support for the operation of the Manapla Port Stevedoring & Arastre (MPSA) in Barangay Punta Salong, Manapla, next month.
Escalante said it has been a dream of Manaplahanons to have a port in Manapla, which they have waited years for the project to materialize.
The MPSA Port in Punta Salong will complete the new nautical route from Manapla, Negros Occidental, to Panay, via the Ajuy PPA Port and the Concepcion PPA Port. The travel time between ports is approximately 55 minutes.
MPSA is designed as an inclusive development, with facilities built for the end-user and managed by the community. It aims to provide not just livelihood, but overall human development.
“With God’s grace, this time, we’ve seen that the project is already there. We commend the MPSA officials for making this port a reality for the people of Manapla. We also promise the local government’s full support,” Escalante said.
The Lite Ferry RoRo vessels will cater to passengers from Manapla, Negros Occidental, to Ajuy and Concepcion, Iloilo, vice versa, which according to Escalante, will have shorter travel times compared to those from Bacolod City.
Port operations will also boost employment in Manapla, according to the mayor.*
