COTABATO CITY, Oct. 2 (PNA) -– In its desire to improve the region’s biggest seaport, the working government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will implement a P100-million development of Polloc Port.
This is in line with the efforts to transform the seaport in Barangay Polloc, Parang, Maguindanao into a fully operational special economic zone.
The plan includes the relocation of informal settlers within the premises of the port and the construction and rehabilitation of key facilities, according to Mimbalawag Mangutara, Polloc Free Port manager.
Mangutara said they have already started talks to facilitate the transfer of around 500 families to a 10.9-hectare lot procured by the ARMM government.
The dialogue involved port officials, local government officials and leaders of the setters.
Mangutara assured the settlers that basic amenities like water and electricity will be made accessible to them in the proposed relocation site.
”We appeal to everyone to support these initiatives to revive the once thriving economy here in Polloc,” he said.
Mangotara said a number of investors have already signified interest in putting up businesses in Polloc once its development is complete.
The Polloc Free Port development plan will include the construction of perimeter fence, fully-equipped control tower, a warehouse complex and a separate building to house a power generator and the repair of the docking area.
“We need to upgrade Polloc port to make it favorable to the booming business climate in ARMM, where local and foreign investments will generate income and jobs for our constituents,” said Mangutara.
ARMM Governor Mujib Hataman said the plan was already in the pipeline and will be implemented as soon as possible.
He appealed to families to be displaced vendors and settlers because the project will benefit more than for the few.
He said a two-hectare relocation site is ready for the displaced families. (PNA)