The Municipality of E.B. Magalona has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) for the construction, management, and operations of the proposed Saravia Municipal Port in Barangay Tuburan, at rites at the Asenso Hall at the Public Plaza today [Nov. 17].

MOA SIGNING. Mayor Marvin Malacon, representing the Municipal Government of E. B. Magalona, and Engr. Rodel Lagmay, acting port manager of the PPA Port Management Office- Negros Occidental, representing the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), signed a memorandum of agreement for the construction, management, and operations of the proposed Saravia Municipal Port in Barangay Tuburan E. B. Magalona, at rites at the Asenso Hall at the EBM Public Plaza today [Nov. 17].*/EBM PIO

The MOA was signed by Mayor Marvin Malacon, representing the Municipal Government, and Vice Mayor Eric Matulac as witness.

For the part of the PPA, it was initially signed by Engr. Rodel Lagmay, acting port manager of the PPA Port Management Office (PMO) Negros Occidental, as witness. The MOA will be sent to the Office of PPA General Manager Atty. Jay Daniel Santiago for signing, as he was only represented by Lagmay during the signing ceremony.

In his message, Malacon said it has been his vision since his administration started in 2016 to revive the old port in Barangay Tuburan. He thanked the PPA for supporting his vision and to make this dream of every Saraviahanon come true.

With this, the municipality will soon have two ports; the other one that is being operational now is in Barangay Manta-angan, which is being operated by a private company. The Saravia Municipal Port will be the first in E. B. Magalona that will be operated by the national government.

This means the Municipality of E. B. Magalona will soon become a busy gateway to Negros Island for those coming from Panay Island, the mayor added.

“The soon-to-be-constructed Saravia Municipal Port is expected to bring more economic opportunities to E. B. Magalona and will have a ripple effect in terms of growth and development of the town, and will be felt even by the next generations, Malacon said.

Matulac said that the Saravia Municipal Port will be “another legacy” of the Malacon administration for E. B. Magalona.

The Sangguniang Bayan, led by Matulac, unanimously passed Resolution No. 2023- 170 on Nov. 13, 2023, authorizing Malacon to sign the MOA with the PPA on the management and operation of the Saravia Municipal Port.

At the signing ceremony today, Malacon endorsed the port operations to the PPA and transferred the jurisdiction of the Saravia Municipal Port from the Municipal Government to the the PPA that shall then “manage, operate, develop, administer, and maintain the said port.”

For his part, Lagmay said they will endorse the MOA to the PPA Board of Directors for technical evaluation and for funding next year.

Lagmay acknowledged the initiative of Malacon to revive the old port in the town, by partnering with the PPA. He added that the new port will provide alternate route for travel between Panay and Negros islands, and will serve as a “catalyst for change” in economic trade in the region.

Also attending the MOA signing ceremony were Sangguniang Bayan members Gilda Parcon, Edgardo Agravante Jr., Gelita Parcon, Reylan Gamboa Sr., Joey Pugales, and Isidro Gomed Jr., former SK Federation president Edgar Jun Agravante, newly elected officials of Barangay Tuburan, led by Punong Barangay Rolly Isugon.

Also joining from the PPA were Port Services Division manager Arlyn Caraig, Acting Engineering Services Division manager Engr. Richel Arceo, Danao (Escalante) Terminal Management Office Division manager Rina Sagansay, and PPO Chief Port Police Officer King Philip Cagas.

Also attending the event were several department and office heads of the Municipal Government, presidents of several sectors of the barangay such as DepEd, women, senior citizens, and transport.*

E. B. MAGALONA PIO