Cagayan de Oro port’s passenger terminal building (PTB)—the biggest in the Philippines so far—was formally inaugurated on July 15.
Located within the Passenger Terminal Complex of Cagayan de Oro Port, the massive two-story building with a total floor area of 5,597 square meters has a capacity of 3,000 passengers, triple its previous capacity.
“I have inaugurated many terminals during our term, and the truth is, this is the biggest passenger terminal building in the Republic of the Philippines. Ito hong proyektong ito ay magbibigay tibay sa kagustuhan ng ating Pangulo na magkaroon ng mobility and connectivity sa Visayas at Mindanao. [This project supports our President’s wish to provide mobility and connectivity in Visayas and Mindanao.],” Department of Transportation (DOTr) secretary Arthur Tugade said during the inauguration on July 15.
“With this terminal, you will have a convergence of people for mobility that will lead to economic growth.”
Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) general manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago said, “We are thankful that as the PPA welcomed its 45th founding anniversary, we have this huge PTB to stand as the emblem of our service and dedication. We believe in the role of seaports in developing our regions and boosting local economies. We hope that this new PTB will contribute to the socio-economic growth, not just of CDO, but of the entire Northern Mindanao region.”
The PTB features brand-new facilities geared toward enhancing the safety and security of the sea-traveling public. Services include security checkpoints with x-ray scanners for baggage, body scanners, CCTVs, passenger boarding stations, collector’s booth, public assistance desk, designated green areas, storage room, and offices for passenger-related agencies such as those for quarantine, tourist police, and the Coast Guard.
Amenities include a play area for children, child care station, ecumenical prayer rooms, drinking fountains, toilet facilities, urgent medical care room, food stalls, pasalubong (souvenirs) centers, and a special boarding lane for senior citizens, passengers with disability (PWDs), pregnant women, and women traveling with children below two years old.
Adhering to the “Malasakit Initiative” of the DOTr, PPA during the inauguration also announced the start of terminal fee exemption for students in all PPA-owned and operated ports nationwide. Senior citizens, PWDs, and active personnel from the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Philippine Coast Guard are also exempted from paying terminal fees.
Aside from the PTB, the new electronic gate complex and the Opol Port in Misamis Oriental were also inaugurated on the same day.
