ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews/19 February) – The Zamboanga port managed an increase of 1.65 percent in revenue collection in 2013 compared to that in 2012 despite its closure in the wake of the standoff with the Nur Misuari-led faction of the Moro National Liberation Front.
Port operations were suspended after it was closed for 18 days during the September hostilities.
Port Manager Liberto Dela Rosa said they collected P92,708,373 in revenues last year, or P1,506,819 more than the collection in 2012 of P91,201,554.
Dela Rosa attributed the increase to the export cargoes that reached a total of 147,731 metric tons (MT). In 2012, export cargoes only recorded P65,572 MT.
He said the biggest contribution came from the export of coal from Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay province.
The other biggest contribution came from the export of coconuts and its by-products from International Copra Corporation (INTERCO) and Philippine Industrial Corporation (PHIDCO) in this city, he added.
The official, however, noted that the number of arriving and departing passengers decreased last year compared to 2012 due to the standoff.
He said passenger arrival decreased to 1,083,321 in 2013 from 1,189,179 in 2012, while departing passengers dived to 1,080,076 last year from 1,199,942 the other year. (MindaNews)
