Cagayan businessmen want trains, bridges

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Cagayan Chapter urged the Duterte administration for the construction of train system and bridges in the province.
The two projects will complement the already existing Tuguegarao City Airport and the Cagayan North International Airport in Lallo town.

PCCI Cagayan Chapter president, Mario Dulin said that they will submit their proposal to President Rodrigo Duterte as this was the consensus reach during the conclusion of the 25th North Luzon Business Conference held recently in Tuguegarao City.

“We have already prepared the proposed resolution which will be endorsed jointly by the members of different chambers from regions 1, 2, 3 and the Cordillera,” PCCI Cagayan Chapter board chairman Cloy Velasco said.

He said they want a train system project from Manila to Cagayan to be pursued to shorten travel time, reduce transportation and production cost of goods and safety for commuters to and from the region.

He added that these projects have been proposed in the Regional Development Council in the past and has to be revived.

With the theme “Moving forward to giant steps,” the PCCI conference was one of the biggest convergences where businessmen, entrepreneurs, government executives and the academe meet and gave them the opportunity to build partnerships, Dulin said.

“Our aim is for the PCCI-Cagayan chapter to attain the economic roadmap enabling factors such as good governance, infrastructure, agriculture, new era of manufacturing and tourism,” Dulin said.
For his part, Velasco cited tourism spots in Cagayan like the Hot Springs of Baggao town, the Callao Caves of Peñablaca town and the beaches of Santa Ana town as potential areas for investments.

PCCI officials said the Cagayan Economic Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) comprising Santa Ana town, the islands of Fuga, Barit, Mabbag in Aparri town is a place open for locators in the field of eco-tourism and leisure facilities, business process outsourcing, agri-industry, shipping and transshipment industry.

“At Ceza one can embark in a backpacking eco-adventure and yet could still indulge in luxurious resort amenities along beaches,” Velasco said.

Many beaches in Santa Ana town were filming locations for “Survivor.” The beaches have also become venues for the international kite boarding, wind surfing and beach volleyball competitions.
He said the PCCI chapter here is also focusing on the promotion of water sports like jet skiing, snorkeling, kayaking, scuba diving, kayaking, game fishing particularly in Santa Ana’s Palaui Island, Anguib, Gotan, Nangaramoan, Pozzorobo and many more.

“The town of Santa Praxedes is also ready for investors in its tourism industry,” Velasco said.