Makar Port launches clean, green campaign

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (4 February 2015)  – The Makar Port jump-started its cleanliness revamp through a clean and green initiative launched Tuesday (February 3) by the Philippine Ports Authority – Gensan manager Luis Cuison.

Dubbed as the “Gandang Pantalan sa Gensan”, this advocacy by Cuison aims to transform Makar Port into a clean and environment-friendly place which will complement the upcoming developments in the said facility.

According to Cuison, the entire Makar community will participate in this project, as its effect will be visible not only in the port, but in the entire Barangay Labangal where the port is located.

The Maritime Police, Philippine Coast Guard, South Cotabato Integrated Port Services Inc., and Bureau of Customs are among those who indicated their participation in this program.

Tree planting activities inside and around the Makar Port will be among the initiatives to be taken. Sanitation and waste management policies will be also implemented to maintain and improve the cleanliness of the area.

One of the plants to be planted is the pole bamboo which is said to be very efficient in absorbing air toxins.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, who attended the launching at Makar Port, said that this advocacy is helpful especially on improving the port facility in preparation for the ASEAN Integration this 2015.

“This advocacy will certainly complement the further developments we will implement to the Makar Port as our preparation for the ASEAN Integration this year. Right now, we have around P1.3 billion dedicated for the improvement of our port,” Mayor Rivera said.

“Hopefully, this will make us a beacon for all investors,” the mayor said.

During the event also, the mayor happily announced that through the General Scheme of Preferences (EU-GSP), exports from Gensan can now enter European countries without tariff.

The new PPA manager Cuison came from the Philippine Ports Authority – Puerto Princesa. There, the port won three consecutive years in the search for the most environmental port, winning over 22 other major ports.

Cuison is positive that this year, Gensan will take the title. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)