Tuguegarao City (25 March) -- In the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, big projects for the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) in Sta. Ana, Cagayan were always mentioned, putting the simple town into the limelight.

When the President mentioned and assured the development of the airstrip and the rehabilitation of the Port Irene, hope sprang among Cagayanos believing that it will pave the way for development in the province.

Now, the projects within the area are on going. The airstrip that she committed in 2007 is now expanded and to be developed as international airport. During her visit in the area last 2008, the President hailed CEZA for expanding the airstrip, much bigger than that in Boracay. She also hailed the officials for creating thousands of local jobs for local employment.

She said the construction of the airstrip, the operation of Port Irene and the amusement center, and other business facilities created a thousand job for the unemployed in the area.

Recently, CEZA officials announced that Phase I of the breakwater project in the Port Irene was already completed. This signals the start of the rehabilitation and development of the port into a major hub for domestic and international shipping traffic in the northern region of the country.

Sec. Jose Mari B. Ponce, CEO/Administrator, said the port's rehabilitation and development is one among the priority projects of the President that costs 3 billion pesos.

On the other hand, Engr. Julian Jovy Gonzales, Officer in Charge and Engr. Ralph Iloy, Port Manager, presented the proposed port international container terminal plan to the Regional Development Council members when they visited the area.

Gonzales said the port needs rehabilitation and expansion because of the signs of structural deterioration that manifests in the pier deck, holes, and rebars which are already exposed.

In the initial contemplated plan, Gonzales said the port will be redeveloped into a larger, modern and sophisticated seaport. The salient features of the envisioned seaport zone includes three core zones- a major transshipment facility, a major fishing port and a shipping/repair facility.

The core zones include a wharf for ocean going and coastwise shipping vessels, landing area for commercial fishing vessels and small boats, container areas with loading and unloading equipment, fish market, cold storage, fish processing, canning and packing plants.

The port will serve as the Roll-on-Roll-off (RoRo) port for vessels transporting products from the province to the eastern parts of Region 2 connecting to Aurora RoRo port.

"The plan also includes the putting up of a lighthouse, seawall, temporary warehousing facilities, terminal and administration center, ground transport terminal, service and utilities area, and shipbuilding and repair facilities," Iloy said.

Gonzales and Iloy further stated that the port would also include an integrated electronic data communication system that will eventually gear up to a "paperless" port.

The development of the port is premised on its proximity to the major seaports in Taiwan and Hongkong, thus the rehabilitation caters to the demands of international shipping for a good and sound harbor.

Majority of the workers are from the said municipality while the rest, especially the skilled ones are from other parts of the region. Some of them expressed their gratitude to the President for giving such projects in the region that benefit them in terms of job opportunities and livelihood.

The residents of the community also thanked the President for bringing blessings in the northern tip of Luzon that opened doors for economic development in the Cagayan Valley Region.

Anent this, other potentials of the municipality, such as the beautiful beaches, like the newly discovered Anguib beach, is being showcased for foreign tourists.

During her latest visit, PGMA mentioned that there are foreign investors who already expressed interests to build resorts near Anguib beach. They are just waiting for the international airport to be built, she added.