March 14, 2010, 2:33pm
LUUK, Sulu – The completed upgrading of the Luuk Seaport here is expected to spur development and ease mobility of passengers and cargo in the area.
This developed after Rep. Munir Arbison (2nd District, Sulu) initiated the upgrading of the seaport here where travelers and traders in the area who ply the Sulu-Zamboanga route will benefit from the project.
“By upgrading our seaport, we would be able to improve our connectivity with the rest of the islands and the region,” Arbison said.
“This would lead to more economic activities and generate employment and business opportunities for Sulu,” he added.
Arbison vowed to prioritize the execution of more infrastructure projects to accelerate economic growth and spur development in this conflict-stricken province.
He said the availability of wharf facilities will contribute to the safe and efficient seaport operations as well as ensure safer harbors.
Before the completion of the seaport project here, travelers and traders from this part of Sulu have to travel to Jolo town just to get a boat ride for Zamboanga City.
But with the upgraded port, their travel time had been shortened by at least two hours.
Meanwhile, Arbison’s son Arnel, who manages a roll-on, roll-off (RORO) vessel that ply the Jolo-Luuk-Zamboanga route, said the volume of cargo and passengers from this town and neighboring areas remarkably increased since the recent opening of the seaport here.
He said the RORO Blooming Star, which regularly services the new route, could provide comfortable and safe travel to passengers through its air-conditioned cabins.
It was learned that RORO vessels have built-in ramps which allow the cargo to be efficiently loaded on the vessel when in port.
Arbison said Luuk wharf has also a standard RORO docking ramp to accommodate larger cargo vehicles, including marine and agricultural products that are regularly shipped to other areas which could lessen handling expenses for the farmers and fishermen.
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/247698/upgrading-sulu-wharf-seen-spur-economic-development
