CPA now out of Rota east harbor project

The Commonwealth Ports Authority is now out of the planned development of Rota’s east harbor after the island’s local delegation agreed to use a non-profit organization to administer the project.

Ports authority executive director Edward Deleon Guerrero told the agency’s board of directors that the Rota Legislative Delegation decided to take a “different approach” for the project in which CPA will not be responsible in the repayment of the loan to be used for the undertaking.

Deleon Guerrero had earlier expressed his opposition to the project, believing that the $25 million fund for the undertaking could be better used in completing the repairs at the existing west harbor instead of building another one in the east side.

The money to be spent will come from the government’s 702 monies which in the original plan, CPA will repay using ports revenues.

Rota board member Barrie Toves questioned on Friday the executive director’s opposition to the project, disclosing that it has never been discussed in the board meeting. He also questioned the absence of supporting justifications such as result of a feasibility study conducted on the site.

But because CPA has been identified in the repayment of the loan, Deleon Guerrero said that it’s proper that the agency expressed its position on the issue, even without the formal board’s adoption of any stance.

“This has been on the table for almost a year. Since the beginning of the plan to develop east harbor, I was invited to the Senate, I was requested more information. I know the east harbor is not under CPA but of DPL. But as the executive director of CPA, knowing that in that particular loan CPA was identified as the one to pay back … that’s where I came in. I gave the municipality opportunity to come to the board and make presentation but up to now, we don’t receive the complete packet on what they intend to do,” he explained to the board.

The executive director also disclosed that even with the “new direction” of the project, CPA also assured the municipality and delegation that it will continue to provide assistance if needed.

The Rota delegation and the municipality have agreed to pursue the project to develop the east harbor side in their aim to jumpstart the island’s economy by attracting more vessels and ports activities in the seaport facility. Compared to the west harbor area, the east side has a calm bay which is advisable to accommodate small and big sea vessels compared to the strong currents experienced in the west harbor, according to them.

Deleon Guerrero said that the identified site for the new harbor is not CPA property but belongs to the Department of Public Lands.

Additionally, he believes that the $25 million will not be enough to realize the new project. He earlier recommended to the delegation and the municipality to instead utilize the money in developing the breakwater in the west harbor and use the other portion in some seaport projects on island—but to no avail.

“My main objection to the project was that CPA, based on loan application, was mentioned responsible to repay the loan. I continue to object it as long as CPA is part of it. It’s my responsibility to ensure that there’s a proper planning to make sure we can repay the loan,” explained Deleon Guerrero, adding that based on the current volume of cargoes and ports activity in general, this may not feasible at this time.

Deleon Guerrero said that Rota would need an estimated $80 million to complete the development of east harbor. He also said that because there are no public lands around that particular area, there’s also a need to purchase private lands to put the infrastructure on it.

“It’s going to cost more than $25 million, that’s why I am against it. Now that CPA is not part of it, I laid back my comments and will continue to look at how this thing moves on Rota,” added the executive director.