It's go for the construction of Sual International Seaport

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, March 6 (PNA) -- Provincial officials see no hitch anymore in the construction of the Sual International Seaport.

This was after the owners of a lot in front of the proposed project site at Baquioen Bay in Sual manifested publicly their strong support to the project.

Planned jointly by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), Philippine Port Authority (PPA), Pangasinan provincial government and Sual municipality, the project broke ground sometime last month.

The DOTC and PPA contributed P100 million each to the project, P200 million from the provincial government and another P100 million from the Sual municipal government.

Under the plan, the first phase of the project which is starting soon, will cost P83 million.

Alex Zarate, spokesman of the Feliciano family, owner of a 2.5 hectare lot fronting the project site, said they welcome the project because it will offer tremendous opportunities to the town of Sual and Pangasinan, as well as their people.

He said that aside from this, the project will be built offshore and not in the Feliciano property, comprising 2.5 hectares.

Zarate confirmed it was in the Feliciano property where the groundbreaking took place sometime last month but added that this had the permission of the family.

In his talk over Aksyon Radyo in Dagupan, Zarate said that at first, there was a little problem over the use of their property for the groundbreaking rite but this was ironed out after officials of Pangasinan sat down with them.

Zarate said that he and his wife Ruth Ann, a member of the family, even attended the groundbreaking rite.

However, the family is upset why some people with vested interest were circulating false and unfounded reports that the government had grabbed their lot from them and violated their rights.

Saying this did not happen whatsoever, Zarate stressed “I repeat, the Feliciano family is supporting the project and all the projects that we believe will benefit the majority of our people.”

Zarate, however, said the family cordoned off the property not only to protect its interest but also because the lot is being made as dumping ground for garbage.

But he stressed the family is open to a talk with the provincial government if they need the lot as a sign of support to the project and to Governor Amado Espino Jr. who they all respect so much. (PNA)
FFC/LVM/rma