The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) have completed a total of 472 port projects nationwide in five years, resulting in improved connectivity and mobility across the country.
In a Facebook post on Friday, the DOTr said under the leadership of Transportation Secretary Art Tugade, the country’s seaports saw vast and drastic improvements, “a far cry from its previous condition – unkempt and in shambles.”
“Itong okasyon na ito ay nagpapaalala sa atin, nung kami’y nag-assume ng responsibilidad, ang sabi ng Pangulo sa amin (This occasion reminded me of the time we assumed responsibility. The President told us), ‘Art, make the Filipino life convenient and comfortable,’” Tugade said during the inauguration of seven seaports in Bohol province on October 29.
Some notable seaport projects completed by the DOTr and PPA are the Port of Cagayan de Oro, the country’s biggest port passenger terminal building to date; Port of Ormoc; Ports of Borac, San Fernando, and Bataraza in Palawan; Port of Opol in Misamis Oriental; Port of General Santos; Port of Dumaguete; Port of Currimao in Ilocos Norte; Port of Dumaguete; and Babak Port in Davao del Norte.
Meanwhile, ongoing big-ticket port projects to be completed before the end of President Rodrigo Duterte’s term include the Port of Calapan in Oriental Mindoro, which can accommodate 3,500 passengers, and the Port of Zamboanga, which offers a highly-detailed and intricate security system that can accommodate 4,000 passengers and will surpass the Port of Cagayan de Oro in terms of passenger capacity.
Rounding out the 472 seaport projects are the newly-inaugurated seven expanded and modernized Bohol ports – Maribojoc, Tagbilaran, Jagna, Ubay, Tapal, Loon, and Talibon, which will establish the island province as a catalyst for economic recovery and growth.
With an improved and better seaport system in the country, the mobility requirements of the Filipinos have been addressed, Tugade said.
“Hindi mangyayari ito kung wala tayong liderato mula kay President Duterte na nagbigay ng suporta, inspirasyon (This would not have happened without the leadership of President Duterte who gave support, inspiration), courage, and endurance for us to be able to do these projects,” he said.
Apart from addressing mobility and connectivity, the seaports will be a great lift to the shipping industry, fisherfolk, business, agriculture and tourism industries, employment, and economic growth in the country.
Source: Philippines News Agency
