Olango Island Lapu-Lapu City. (Google map)
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan told SunStar Cebu on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, that the National Government allocated funds for the construction of a wharf in Barangays Tingo and Tunga-san this year.
He said the City Government also allocated around P7.5 million for the construction of the wharf in Tingo.
The office of Lapu-Lapu City Lone District Rep. Ma. Cynthia “Cindi” Chan also allocated funds for the expansion of the Angasil Port in Mactan Island across Olango Island.
The mayor said the City is also set to build a boardwalk connecting Sitio Suba in Barangay Sabang and Barangay Pangan-an Island to shorten the travel time.
A study on its alignment is being conducted to ensure that the protected area nearby will not be affected by the construction.
Chan said they cannot estimate the project cost until the alignment is finalized.
The mayor said the proposed projects will have a huge impact on trade and commerce and tourism in Olango and will benefit its residents who are still reeling from the devastation caused by typhoon Odette more than a year after it struck the island.
Destruction
Odette damaged schools, the hospital, the police station and nearly all houses on the island, which was left without electricity for several months.
“Dako kaayo na siya’g impact sa tourism industry. Sayon na lang kaayo nato pag-adto sa Olango, even sa mga turista, as well as sa paglabang nato sa mga produkto nga gikan sa Olango to the mainland or vice versa. So, dako kaayo na og impact sa ekonomiya sa Olango (It will have a great impact on tourism since it will be easier for us and the tourists to go to Olango and easier for us to bring goods from the mainland to Olango and vice versa. So, there will be a big impact on the economy of Olango),” said Chan.
He said the National Government will also fund the construction of a technical school or Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) training center in Olango.
He said the construction may start in the middle of this year. The training center will offer free courses in electrical engineering, cooking and housekeeping. It will also provide students with allowances.
With the technical school, Chan said residents will no longer have to go to the mainland to obtain higher education.
“This year will focus on providing solutions to the problem of giving livelihood,” said Chan, adding that they also want to upgrade the hospital in Olango.
He said the City already acquired a sea ambulance that can cater to Olango residents.
“Those are our priorities — education, livelihood and the construction of a wharf,” said Chan, stressing that the City wants to help improve the lives of the Olango residents.
