The Visayan Daily Star
Published on: 10/08/2021| Section: Business
BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN

The two-story Saravia Commercial Building is now ready to serve residents of EB Magalona and neighboring areas.*GPB photo

Negotiations are now underway for the development and use of a port in Brgy. Tuburan, EB Magalona, Negros Occidental, by a shipping company for the expansion of its operations in Western Visayas, revealed Mayor Marvin Malacon.

Malacon disclosed yesterday that the Lite Ferry shipping company owned by Lucio Sy is eyeing to develop the Tuburan port, under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme, to accommodate roll on-roll off vessels from Banate, Iloilo to EB Magalona, Negros Occidental, vice versa.

The Lite Ferry is also operating in northern Negros and northern Cebu, through the ports of San Carlos and Toledo.

Malacon said that they are now waiting documents from the Philippine Ports Authority on how to push through the project, which is expected to further boost to the growing economy of EB Magalona despite the pandemic.

Additionally, the P150-million two-story Saravia Commercial Center Mall is now ready for occupancy. It has more than 100 commercial spaces. The second floor is earmarked for offices of various national government agencies and a function area for big events, while the ground floor is allocated for owners of existing market stalls.

Food chain stores and other food establishments are also looking for spaces to operate in the town, Malacon said.

He also said that the newly-completed Land Transportation Office building in Brgy. Tabigue, EB Magalona, is up for turnover to the LTO.

Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez, who had pushed for the establishment of an LTO district office in EB Magalona, pointed out that the economic growth in the 3rd district has been driving an increase in the volume of LTO transactions overwhelming the agency’s office in Bacolod.

Malacon said it will help also boosting the economy of EB Magalona.

He also bared the plans to transfer the Police Regional Office 6 to transfer its regional training school from Bakyas in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City to Brgy. Santo Niño in EB Magalona, while there is also plan for Rep. Benitez to push for the establishment of a Sports Academy in the town.*