Sarangani, Davao del Sur (4 December) -- To give equal opportunity to the local government here on port administration, Philippine Ports Authority Port District Office-Southern Mindanao (PPA PDO-SoMin) formally devolved the Mabila Port on November 24, 2010.

Particularly located in Balut Island, the Port of Mabila is equipped with a 9X11 meter Roll On Roll Off (RoRo) Ramp, 155 meter concrete causeway, two (2) rubber duck fenders, and an administrative office building furnished with two rooms, a toilet, and office/conference tables.

"The essence of devolution is a shared partnership and common responsibility of public property," PDO-SoMin Acting Port District Manager Atty. Christian V. Santillan expressed in a prepared speech delivered by Port Management Office (PMO)-General Santos Port Manager Engr. Liberto C. Dela Rosa, Sr.

Hon. Municipal Mayor Jerry T. Cawa of Sarangani town officially signed a three-year Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) of the port's management, operation, development effective October 11, 2010 up to October 10, 2013 which would be renewable for another three years thereafter, depending on mutually-agreed terms and conditions.

In the project brief, Engr. Dela Rosa recounted the Authority's commitment to develop Mabila as part of the Philippine Port System as early as 2006 when it included a PhP 46.84 M project administered by the PPA Head Office based in Manila as an initial development package.

Mayor Cawa, in his acceptance speech, expressed gratitude to the PPA management for the strong support in the improvement of the Mabila Port which he considers as a legacy bestowed by the then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (PGMA) during her term for the constituents of Sarangani Municipality as part of the expansion of lateral links of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) by capitalizing on the Road RoRo Transport System (RRTS).

The Mabila Port development, committed by the former PGMA in an executive meeting with local officials as early as 2002, Cawa said, is a dream come true for his citizens.

With the devolution, the local government can have direct control of the port's continuous operations and gain hands-on experience in determining its socio-economic advantages and benefits through trade and transport, he added.

In 2008, PPA implemented the concreting of Mabila Port's rock causeway worth PhP 4.5 M, fortifying the port to be able to cater to larger vessels. Said project was undertaken by PMO-General Santos and was completed in 2009.

Mabila Port, although located in Davao Del Sur Province in Region-XI, is directly under the administrative jurisdiction of the Port Management Office (PMO)-General Santos in the South Central Region-XII. The realignment in regulatory functions from Region-XI to Region-XII is based on proximity and accessibility in terms of distance and sea routes going to and from Mabila.

Balut Island maintains regular sea transport links for passenger and cargo going to and from General Santos City and Glan in Sarangani Province for its trading and commercial activities. There are also occasional tramping vessels going to as far as Davao City carrying its copra or fish products.