Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba has urged support for the proposed Cagayan International Gateway Project in which a heavy industrial port in Aparri, international airport in Piat, and a smart city and double track railway system will be built.
Mamba said the province should take advantage of the willingness of foreign investors to build large projects that are debt-free and without sovereign guarantees.
He revealed that the provincial government would be co-owners of the project because the province owns the land where facilities would be built.
The cooperation and approval of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan is needed for Mamba to enter into an agreement with project investor Kumpulan Corp. which would enable it to conduct a feasibility study.
Mamba called for a special session Thursday, Aug. 25, to approve the agreement but it did not push through because of lack of quorum.
The lack of quorum dismayed Mamba who stressed that provincial leaders need to support the project for the future of the youth in the province.
Mamba noted that many foreigners are interested in investing in Cagayan because of its strategic location and proximity to rich countries in the Asia-Pacific and the world such as China, Korea, and Japan.