Aurora ecozone seeking partners to develop P4.7-B Casiguran port

THE Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) said it is seeking partners to develop a P4.7-billion seaport in Casiguran.

APECO President and Chief Executive Officer Gil G. Taway IV said the seaport is being positioned as a potential transshipment hub.

“We are looking for investors to develop a world-class seaport in our ecozone,” he said at the Arangkada Forum Friday.

Citing a feasibility study conducted by Korea Eximbank in 2011, he said that the construction of a seaport in Casiguran is expected to cost around $56 million.

“Adjusted for inflation, the cost of building the support would be around $83 million or P4.7 billion,” he added.

Casiguran is sheltered by a peninsula, at the tip of which is Cape San Ildefonso, which frames the eastern entrance of Casiguran Sound.

Mr. Taway said APECO is also agency is also looking for partners to expand the airport serving the ecozone.

“In the long term, we envision an expansion for an international airport catering to A320s,” he said, referring to the model of single-aisle Airbus aicraft that is in wide use on regional routes. “Recently, we acquired 12 hectares of land for the APECO Airport development,” he said.

Currently, the airport has a 1.3-kilometer strip serving chartered flights. — Justine Irish D. Tabile.