Interview With Mayor Ismael Tumaru

(PIA Press Release, January 6, 2010, Tuguegarao City)  In an effort to further boost the business and tourism industry in this northern tip of Luzon, the municipality of Aparri, Cagayan is firm in its goal to complete the rehabilitation of its seaport until 2015.

In an interview with Mayor Ismael Tumaru over Tipon-Tipan sa PIA program, he said he is optimistic that all the port facilities are already operational by 2015.

Mayor Tumaru said with the rehabilitation of the seaport, more investors and tourists will come to their place, additional businesses will be established, and more jobs will be created. “It’s a big contribution to the economy of our municipality,” he added.

Tumaru said the government will not spend for the rehabilitation because the development of the seaport would be undertaken on a build-operate transfer (BOT) scheme by a Taiwanese – owned company.

An estimated budget of 50 million US dollar is needed to complete the rehabilitation.

The town’s chief said the port’s existing pier which is already being used as basketball court will be dredged.

“There is a need to remove the accumulated sand to maintain adequate depth for safe and efficient vessel operations,” Tumaru stressed.

“The dredged materials will be used in the reclamation of the port and in the construction of other port facilities,” Tumaru added.

Aside from the seaport rehabilitation project, the municipal government of Aparri is also aiming for the completion of their airport rehabilitation by the end of this year.

Tumaru said the existing 600 meter airport will be expanded to 1,000 meters. (TCB/PIA 2)