The Philippine government has completed 133 commercial and tourism port projects worth P6.1 billion from 2016 to the first four months of 2018, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), mother agency of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
In 2016, some 68 projects with an estimated cost of P3.17 billion were completed, DOTr said in a statement. These include port expansion projects worth P309 million in Puerto Princesa, Palawan; the P272 million wharf extension in Lapaz, Iloilo City; and Phase III of the rehabilitation and improvement of Tacloban City Port.
Several improvement projects were also carried out in Mindanao, including the construction of a passenger terminal building and installation of a lighting system in the port of Glan in Sarangani; construction of a roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) ramp in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte; wharf extension in Masao, Butuan City; and improvement of the power system in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte.
In 2017, about 40 projects worth over P2.9 billion were finished. These include the P350 million gantry crane project in Iloilo City; P157 million port expansion in Larena, Siquijor; and the P48 million wharf-widening project on the Pasig River.
PPA general manager Atty. Jay Daniel Santiago said the government is pouring in billions of pesos over the next five years to improve and modernize ports in the country.
For the first four months of 2018, there have been 21 projects completed, including a baggage x-ray room in the screening area of the Dapitan Port in Zamboanga del Norte; port road widening in Dumangas, Iloilo; and alternate access road project in Iligan, Lanao del Norte.
In a separate statement, PPA said it is shelling out almost P6 billion this year to carry out 109 port projects, wherein 46 are from Luzon, 23 in the Visayas, and 40 in Mindanao.
Aside from PPA’s projects, DOTr’s Maritime Sector in 2017 completed four social/tourism port projects worth P45 million. These are the causeway construction and widening at the Badoc Port in Ilocos Norte and Mongpong Port in Sta. Cruz, Marinduque; port rehabilitation of the San Jose Port in Camarines Sur; and wharf extension of Talisay Port in Batangas.
A total of 24 more social/tourism ports are undergoing construction, while 59 others are programmed for construction this year. This year, there are 46 ongoing port development projects amounting to over P7.1 billion.
Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade said better port facilities will strengthen tourism and bolster the Philippines’ appeal as a cruise destination, while improving the lives of people by providing them with facilities for comfortable and efficient travel and transportation.
Further, he assured that the government will accelerate implementation of port infrastructure projects this year.
