Enhancing connectivity and mobility across the archipelago, President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, through the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Maritime Sector and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), has completed a total of 200 commercial and social/tourism port projects from 2016 up until the present.
Of this number, a total of 159 are commercial port projects facilitated by the PPA, while 41 are social/tourism port projects under the DOTr Maritime Sector.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade lauded the PPA for its prolific performance in providing maritime connectivity throughout the country.
“I congratulate the PPA, headed by general manager Jay Santiago, for the immense work they have done in building and rehabilitating commercial seaports. With the ease of movement of people and goods, economic growth is not far behind. This is the power of transport infrastructure. It can truly lead to a better, more comfortable life for Filipinos,” Tugade said.
Meanwhile, Santiago thanked Tugade for the policy guidance, as well as for instilling a culture of efficiency and genuine public service across attached agencies.
He said the PPA, which will celebrate its 45th Founding Anniversary on July 11, is set to finish more projects in the coming years.
“The port projects that we have completed under the Duterte administration are living proof of our unrelenting service and commitment to the Filipino people. We are just in the middle of our journey. Marami pa pong kailangang gawin. Marami pa tayong tatapusin,” Santiago said.
Social/Tourism Port Projects
The DOTr Maritime Sector, under officer-in-charge Undersecretary Fernando Juan Perez, finished 11 social/tourism seaport projects nationwide for the first half of 2019 alone.
In Luzon, the completed projects include the construction of Balayan Port in Batangas and Maragondon Port in Cavite.
In Eastern Visayas, a total of five seaport projects were completed, including the extension of the Barangay Canwarak Wharf in Zumarraga in the province of Samar; the widening of causeway, construction of back-up area, sea wall, and terminal building of the Pinabacdao Port also in Samar province; and the construction of Terminal and Administration Building of Balangkayan Port in Eastern Samar.
Boosting the connectivity in the region, two seaport projects were completed in Biliran last May. These are the widening of causeway and construction of back-up area project for the Kawayan Seaport and the construction of Higatangan Port in the municipality of Naval.
Several seaports–Balangiga and Maydolong Ports in Eastern Samar; Merida Port in Leyte; and Baclayon Port in Bohol– were also rehabilitated in the Visayas.
Meanwhile, a total of 12 more port projects are due for completion within the remaining half of 2019.
In the Visayas, one of these projects is the Limawasa Port in Southern Leyte. Construction works cover the port area, expansion of the passenger terminal building, improvement of the wharf, and construction of the causeway.
Once completed, the port is seen to serve 1,184 passengers daily. Its first phase was completed on 25 July 2018.
Sogod Port in Southern Leyte is also getting an expansion. Construction works are targeted for completion in November. The rehabilitation of Hindang Port in Leyte and Mualbual Wharf in Zumarraga, Samar is also ongoing.
A number of Luzon seaport projects are also underway including two seaport projects–the Talisay Port, and the Subukin Port in the town of San Juan, both in Batangas– is set to be finished within the year.
Three more seaport projects — Agkawayan Port, expansion of the Sablayan Port, and the rehabilitation of Tayamaan Port–will also be completed in Occidental Mindoro by yearend.
The repair and rehabilitation are also ongoing for two seaport projects in Marinduque — Laylay Port and the Marlangga Port, which is due for completion within this month.
In Mindanao, the construction of the Kaputian Multi-Purpose Port in Davao del Norte is ongoing and is slated for completion this July.
source: (PNA)
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