DOTC fails to answer queries on Sasa Port

EVEN after a lapse of one month, Transportation and Communication Sec. Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya Jr. continues his failure to answer questions asked by the Regional Development Council (RDC) based in Davao or Region 11 on the controversy that haunts the P19-billion Sasa Port Modernization Project in Davao City.
Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario earlier told reporters the RDC 11 which he heads past a resolution last September 21 asking the DOTC secretary to meet with the development council to answer why the DOTC has not yet complied with conditions stipulated the by the RDC in earlier endorsing the controversial multi-billion peso project to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).
“The endorsement to Neda was conditional,” del Rosario said, adding that the RDC approves of the project for as long the DOTC, the project proponent, comply with five conditions.
He said the conditions are as follows:
–purchase of 6.5-hectares adjacent land in addition to the current size of the Sasa port area;
–ensure payment to owners of the additional land;
— see to it that the terms of reference in the purchase will specify who should pay the real property tax involved;
–transfer of informal settlers occupying part of the port to a suitable relocation site; and
–ensure that the project will benefit the shareholders of the port in terms of economic benefits and in providing opportunities for employment.
The appearance of Secretary Abaya will give RDC 11 a chance to know wether the DOTC has complied with the conditions in the resolution of endorsement.
Del Rosario said the RDC 11 to look for some of the contentious aspects of the project, specially its huge cost.”
“We are all for the improvement of this vital facility, but we would like to see to it that its cost will not be detrimental to its users,” Del Rosario said, adding that it is natural for whoever will build the project to recover the huge development cost by increasing the fees of the port.
Del Rosario who was himself twice a member of the Cabinet aside from being member of the House of Representatives for several terms said that failure of the DOTC to comply with the RDC’s suggestions will become the project’s “technical problem.” AMA