In a landmark initiative, Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada has signed a joint-venture agreement with a construction conglomerate for the P7.4-billion expansion of the Manila Harbour Centre in Tondo which he said would generate huge revenues for the city and thousands of jobs for residents.
Estrada said the multi-billion peso project will also help solve the perennial problem of congestion in the city’s sea ports, particularly at the Manila North Harbour, or commonly known as North Harbor.
“At no cost to the city government, this project will bring about the much-needed realty and corporate income taxes, and of course, thousands of jobs and business opportunities for the Manileños,” the Manila mayor pointed out, optimistic that the project “will help provide solutions to a lot of problems in Manila,” Estrada said in a statement.
The project entails the reclamation of 50 more hectares of Manila Bay to expand the reclaimed land area of the existing 79-hectare Manila North Harbour Centre, which is operated by Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc.
Under the Joint Venture Agreement with R-II Builders Inc., Manila will be appropriated with a 15-hectare portion of the soon-to-be-reclaimed area which the city government is planning to develop as a new industrial complex.
“Imagine the thousands of jobs it can generate once it is completed and has become fully operational,” Estrada stressed.
Reghis Romero, chairman of R-II Builders, said the 50 hectares to be reclaimed is at the westernmost end of the Manila North Harbour Centre. Phase 1 and 2 of the reclamation and construction works will be completed in two-and-a-half years.
He pointed out that the port expansion is badly needed to make the operation of Port of Manila at par with international standards.
“Because of progress, bigger cargo vessels are now being used, from 20,000 to 30,000 metric tons and now up to 60,000 to 70,000 metric tons. These vessels need a draft of at least 15 meters but sadly, Philippine ports can only handle up to 12,” Romero explained as quoted in the statement released by city hall.
With expansion of the North Harbor further out to sea, the existing port facility will now be able to handle larger vessels, thus, reducing the costs of and speeding the process of cargo handling, Romero added.
Anticipating the opposition of environmental groups, Romero said that they have taken careful considerations of the water level in Manila so as to prevent flooding.