A study is pushing for the establishment of an international seaport in Dingalan Bay, 182 kilometers from Manila, anchored on approximately $30 billion worth of potential annual trade in the region.
The Philippines cannot disregard potentials of Dingalan Bay, which straddles the provinces of Aurora and Quezon in central Luzon, considering it faces the Pacific Ocean where majority of international trade passes, according to a study conducted by Asian Institute of Management faculty member Prof. Fernando Roxas.
Almost 10% of vessels bound for Singapore from Hong-Kong, Shanghai and Shenzhen pass through Dingalan Bay.
“About 44% of international trade is from the Asia-Pacific region,” Roxas said.
“Whatever the historical reasons, the Philippine government cannot continue to ignore the strategic importance of developing Luzon’s eastern seaboard facing the Pacific Ocean.”
He added, “Although the Philippines sits as a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), our main port in Manila actually faces away from the Pacific Ocean. As a consequence, the country’s eastern seaboard, which should be prime real estate following the experience of other Pacific Rim countries, is neglected and woefully undeveloped.”
He pointed out, “Dingalan Bay makes for an excellent sea port because of adequate depth that can accommodate large vessels without the need for dredging or long causeways. A major cost component in development, however, would be a deep, breakwater structure.”
The bay’s anchorage may be found in its northern part, sheltered from northeast winds, with depths of 5.5 to 16.5 meters. It also has an alternative anchorage located in the southern part with depths of 11.0 to 14.6 meters.
As early as 1995, the Philippine Ports Authority through its 25-year master plan identified Dingalan Bay as a technically viable and attractive site for an international port.
Image from www.aurora.gov.ph
