The Culasi Port in Roxas City is up for dredging, said mayor Ronnie Dadivas following a recent notice of such project from the Philippine Ports Authority.
“Once our seaport is developed, it means large ships could be able to dock here, and we would no longer have to rely on the ports of neighboring provinces,” Dadivas were quoted as saying in Hiligaynon.
In July this year an international cargo ship from Vietnam docked at the Culasi Port to deliver a shipment of rice, demonstrating the port’s potential ahead of its full development.
“We really encourage them to come here because we need to boost activity in this area. It will help create jobs, lower the prices of our commodities, and most importantly, stimulate employment and improve the overall economy,” Dadivas reportedly said.
The mayor’s comment runs parallel to observations from Port of Iloilo customs officials that many among the big importers and shipping vessels “as much as possible try to avoid the port of Iloilo due to very high arrastre rates” being charged at the Visayas Container Terminal in Iloilo City.
