The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and local government units (LGUs) of Northern Samar on Thursday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the construction of three ports in the province.

During the signing of the MOA in Northern Samar, DOTr Undersecretary for Maritime Elmer Sarmiento said the implementation of the port projects in the province aims to improve the regional economy, as well as maritime transportation.

“We’re connecting communities, such as Mapanas and other municipalities in Northern Samar to the bigger island economies for their economic growth,” Sarmiento said.

The MOA was signed by the DOTr, Northern Samar Governor Edwin Ongchuan, and Mapanas Mayor Ronn Michael Tejano.

The DOTr has allocated PHP25 million each for the construction of a port in San Jose and the wharves in Allen and Mapanas.

During the event, Ongchuan thanked the DOTr for the projects and for what it would provide to the people in the province.

“Malaking bagay po ito for our economic upliftment dahil dito po dadaan sa amin ang mga barges, commercial vessels para po sa mga infrastructure projects na aming tinatayo (This would greatly help our economic upliftment because barges and other commercial vessels will be able to pass through our province through these infrastructure projects),” he said.

Ongchuan noted that economic activity in the area mainly involves buying copra – dried coconut meat – and selling them in Lucena and other areas in Quezon province.

On the other hand, Tejano said the port project in their municipality would help make their product prices more competitive.

“We are excited sa magiging unchartered development na maitutulong ng wharf, not only sa Mapanas but also sa neighboring towns na makikinabang sa wharf (We are excited for the unchartered development that will be provided by the wharf, not only to Mapanas but also to neighboring towns),” he said. (PNA)