205M Cadiz City Commercial Port Inaugurated

The most awaited 205 million Cadiz City Commercial Port has finally completed and was inaugurated by the city officials headed by Congressman Alfredo Maranon III, City Mayor Patrick Escalante and Provincial Board Member Salvador Escalante, Jr last July 3, in Barangay Banquerohan, this city. It is the first commercial port ever constructed and run by the city government.

The port, has 22 lineal meters of commercial wharf to accommodate 600,000 to 700,000 meters tons of cargo annually, 1.80 hectares back up for service roads, storage facilities and area for local embarking and disembarking vessels.

Former Mayor Salvador Escalante, Jr., who is now a member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan briefly explained the history of the project saying “the port was the result of the study participated in by professionals and different sectors through City Development Strategic Planning (CDSP) and visualized the city as the “Gateway and Premier Center of Agro-Fishery Resources of Negros Occidental”.

While the permit is being processed, the port accommodates commercial fishing boats, oil tankers, passengers’ boat from and to Bantayan Island. It is an alternative pier to Bredco Port in Bacolod City. Former Mayor Escalante also reported that as soon the plans push through the port will serve as inter-island vessels from Cadiz to Iloilo, Batangas, Bantayan and cargo ships to Cebu.

Meanwhile, City Mayor Patrick Escalante, in his message thanked the Divine Providence for the completion of the biggest project the city has ever achieved. He said “there are many sacrifices, financial crisis and difficulties that we encountered during the construction of this port. The prizes of fuel and materials increased and the contractor was about to give up but with the effort and dedication of former Mayor Bading and his officials this project has come to materialize. “The port will benefit the people of Cadiz not only the business sector but also the people living in this barangay. This will help boast our economy, that’s why we must thank God for giving this gift to our city”, the mayor concluded.

Congressman Alfredo Maranon III who congratulated the city officials said “to undertake this port project takes a long period of time but with your patience you have finally come to realize it. This project has great and triple effects to the city of Cadiz.” The department heads and city officials historically laid down the time capsule which will be opened in the year 2032, thirty years after its inauguration.

Among the hundreds of Cadiznon, media men from Bacolod City and city officials who witnessed the inauguration were City vice Mayor Samson Mirhan, City Administrator Atty. Michael Angelo Borromeo, and city councilors Dr. Abiezer Bacomo, Dr.Lilia Decolongon, Antonio Lacson III, Vicente William Tabanao, Wilfredo Cervantes, Denia Hinolan, Marcelo Metuda, Juan Musa and ABC president Arthur Lamis./*