VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur – The Department of Transportation and Communications has approved an additional P490 M for the expansion of the Salomague International Port in Cabugao town, a top Malacañang official said.

Deputy National Security Adviser Luis “Chavit” Singson said that the DoTC is now fast-tracking the preparation of the blue print for the expansion of the Salomague Port and that he said the full blast construction and development of the Salomague port will be immediately implemented once the map is finished.

Salomague Port has long been existing but cannot accommodate big and International cargoes to dock here, prompted Singson to ask President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and DoTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza to approve Singson’s request for additional funds for its expansion.

Citing the strategic location of the Salomague Port being located along the China sea and Northern part of the country’s coast, Singson said that Ilocos Sur will become an economic tiger once the Salomague Port becomes operational being near to Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea. “We are the nearest port to these countries,” said Singson.

International cargo vessels will no longer go to as far as Manila Port and San Fernando, La Union port to unload their cargos, Singson pointed out, once the Salomague Port is in operation.

Now running for governor of Ilocos Sur under the Administration’s party, Singson said that several businessmen in neighboring East Asia countries had already expressed interest to pour in their investment here after learning that the government has already setting aside an amount for the conversion of this port into an International Sea port.

“We can now foresee the domino effect of the economic development of the province with the coming in of various international businessmen who want to invest here once the Salomague Port is renovated,” pointed out Singson.

Together with incumbent governor Deogracias Victor “DV” Savellano, Singson and his son Rep. Ronald V. Singson, is now also working for the development of the Vigan Airport to be converted also into an international port to complement the Salomague Sea Port.