Samar gets new port

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III on Friday, April 26, inaugurated the Maguinoo Port Pier Extension and Passenger Terminal Building in Calbayog City in Samar. It’s a project that he hopes would stir economic activity in a province where 44% of the population is poor.

Bigger and more advanced, the Maguinoo Port will improve transport services in Calbayog City. Aquino is hoping it will facilitate trade and tourism in the province. 

In an obvious tirade against the long-entrenched Tan political dynasty in Samar, the President said in his speech: “Malayong-malayo na tayo sa panahong nilulustay ang pera ng bayan sa mga tulay na hindi naman pinaplano ang kalalagyan, o sa mga kontratang maglalaro lang naman pala ng putik sa ating mga ilog at lawa habang ibinabaon sa utang ang taumbayan,” he said. 

In a series of stories, Rappler’s Judith Balea detailed the misuse of public funds in the province. Commission on Audit (COA) records show that at least P674 million of provincial funds were misused, diverted, missing or released improperly under the Tans’ rule since 2001.

READ Part 1: Samar’s long wait for Salvation

READ Part 2: ‘Kung walang corrupt, bakit sobrang mahirap ang Samar’

Candidates of the President’s Liberal Party are running against the Tan dynasty. Liberal Party secretary general and Samar 1st district Rep Mel Senen Sarmiento is being challenged by Arnold Tan, brother-in-law of the Tan political matriarch Rep Milagrosa “Mila” Tan. (Read: The Tans of Samar: Expanding a dynasty)

Mila Tan is seeking re-election in the 2nd district. 

LP also fielded candidates to challenge re-electionists Gov Sheeann Tan and Vice-Gov Jimboy Tan. Rosa Jessica “Aika” Uy (LP), 30, a registered nurse and the eldest child of the slain Calbayog Mayor Reynaldo Uy, is running against Sheeann Tan. The longtime mayor of Basey town, Wilfredo Estroninos (LP), is running against Jimboy Tan.

Reynaldo Uy was shot dead in April 2011. He led an ouster move against Gov Sheean Tan and Vice Gov Jimboy Tan. 

Tourism potential

The Aquino government alloted the port project an initial budget of P38.59 million. It got in 2013 an additional budget of P10 million for the installation of port lights, fences, and water supply system. 

The benefits of the project are clear, Aquino said in his speech at the site in Calbayog City. He said a wider and modern port means more ships will come to bring in products from other provinces. It will also be easier to transport local products to other places. 

“Malinaw ang pakinabang na hatid ng isang mas malawak at mas modernong Manguino-o Port: mas maraming barko ang dadaong sa inyong bayan para magdala ng iba’t ibang produkto sa inyong lalawigan; ang mga produktong dito naman ginawa, tulad ng inyong napakasarap na tinapa, mas madali nang mailuluwas sa iba pang lugar,” he said.

It also means huge potential in tourism, he said. “At dahil sa mas epektibo at garantisadong serbisyo, ma-eengganyo ang mas maraming turista na dumalaw sa Calbayog para bumisita sa inyong napakagandang Bangon Falls, Guinogo-an Cave, at Malajog Beach,” he added.

The President said he will talk to Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez to look for an investor who can build a resort, improve tourism, and provide local jobs. 

Aquino said he has more projects for Samar in the pipeline. He mentioned the Samar Road Rehabilitation Project which includes the repair of the Catbalogan Diversion Road and other national secondary roads in the province and nearby Eastern Samar.

He also mentioned the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project, which will connect Northern Samar and Eastern Samar. – Rappler.com