'Green light' for Kalibo reclamation project

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The provincial government of Aklan had given a Lucio Tan led-company the green light to expand and build a port terminal in Kalibo, Aklan.

                                     PHOTO AKLAN FORUM JOURNAL

The investor submitted the unsolicited proposal for a 120-hectare reclamation project in Barangay Pook to the Public Private Partnership selection committee of the province, according to Aklan governor Florencio Miraflores.

The proposed infrastructure project which will be built in three phases will have a new ferry port terminal, hotels and business process outsourcing (BPO) establishments.  The proponent expects to start initial construction within this year or early 2018 with a Phase 1 reclamation cost of P3-B.  

Once operational, the passenger vessels will accommodate tourists and locals who land at Kalibo International Airport for a one-and half hour sea trip to Boracay Island via Kalibo Pook port.  

Land reclamation projects are done in coordination with Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).  

On June 8, Mabuhay Maritime Express Transport, Inc. (MMET), a subsidiary of Tan’s Philippine Airlines, sought the approval of Kalibo Sangguniang Bayan for “no objection” to the proposed Kalibo reclamation project.

Kalibo mayor William Lachica said the new business hub will create opportunities for tourism and economic development.

Port projects will generate taxes in real property and revenues for the government aside from jobs to thousands of Aklanons, he added.

The article was originally published by independent online blog Aklan Forum Journal. The unrestricted use in print or radio, publication and distribution of articles are allowed provided the original author and Aklan Forum Journal are credited.