Agri Dept. diverting Agno River funds to Quezon port project

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will be using funds from the San Roque- Agno River Integrated Irrigation Project to partially finance a P2 billion Real Regional Port Project in Quezon province. “[DA Secretary Proceso Alcala] has already approved of this," said Philippine Fisheries Development Authority general manager Rodolfo Paz, whose agency will be spearheading the Real Regional Port Project. The DA will be using $40 million from the San Roque-Agno River project’s remaining loan balance. Paz added that the fund diversion will not need congressional approval since the project was already approved by the National Economic Development Authority. “It is within the discretionary powers of the Secretary to decide where to put excess funding from agricultural loans. All we need is to come up with a feasibility study and there still other issues that should be addressed, too," he said. The port project is expected to have a gestation period of three to five years, including the feasibility study preparations and the construction phase. — BC/VS, GMA News