THE DAVAO CITY business sector has called on government to revisit the planned modernization of the Sasa wharf, a proposal that became controversial during the previous administration. “We need it badly. The condition of the wharf should not only be upgraded but modernized if we want more investments to come to the city,” Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. President   Arturo M. Milan told BusinessWorld Wednesday, March 7. Among the proposals being pushed on the Sasa Port upgrade is an expansion to accommodate a gantry crane as well as a dedicated dock for cruise tourism, Romeo M.   Montenegro, deputy executive director of the Mindanao Development Authority, told BusinessWorld in a separate interview. However, Mr. Montenegro said the plan is still being drafted and there are no specifics yet as to the cost. The Sasa Port modernization plan during the term of former President Benigno S.C. Aquino III, to be undertaken through a public-private partnership scheme, was shelved after several groups, including the Davao City business sector, objected to the proposed cost of P18.99 billion. An earlier study and proposal by the Philippine Ports Authority had an upgrade budget of only P4 billion. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR