Treñas pushes for port development

Iloilo City is poised to become a major trading hub attracting more cargoes, jobs, and economic activities.

International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) of tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. has plans to revive its proposal to develop and operate the Iloilo Commercial Port Complex (ICPC).

Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, who also chairs the Infrastructure Development Committee (IDC) of the Regional Development Council (RDC), expressed his full backing of the big investment.

“We welcome the plans of ICTSI to develop Iloilo Port and we will do everything to support it. As chair of the IDC, I fully support the project and will ensure that the RDC approves the same right away,” he stressed.

The port improvement is seen to generate faster shipment of goods, thus cost-efficient for local players, in turn boosting the city’s economy.

The investor’s interest is part of the company’s goal to help the government in improving the country’s port network.

ICTSI Executive Vice-President and Chief Risk Officer Christian Razon Gonzales told BusinessWorld about the firm’s renewed attention to Iloilo.

“We want to push that again, for sure. We’re waiting for guidance from the government whether it will be a public tender done by the Philippine Ports Authority or they will welcome an unsolicited proposal,” he added.

ICTSI initially wanted to pour in an estimated investment of more than P5 billion to fully develop the ICPC. It also set eyes on Port of Dumangas in the province.

The upgrade would help PPA in the hope of facilitating inter-island and international cargo movement, ICTSI said in a statement posted on its website.