143 social, tourism port projects inaugurated
COASTAL communities, fishermen and tourists will benefit from the landmark inauguration of 143 social and tourism port projects throughout the country, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade stressed Thursday, December 2, 2021.
Tugade emphasized that the 143 social and tourism port projects highlight President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s goal of equitable growth and development through mobility and connectivity in the country that must be shared by every Filipino even in far-flung areas.
“Sinabi ng ating Pangulong Duterte na ang growth and development sa ekonomiya ay dapat hindi limitado sa malalaking lugar. Dapat ang buhay na kombinyente at komportable ay maabot at marating lalo’t higit ang ating mga kababayan na nasa lugar na napabayaan at nakalimutan,” Secretary Tugade said.
Tugade made the statement during the monumental inauguration of 143 social and tourism port projects and the completed development projects in Zamboanga Port.
In the last two years, the DOTr’s Maritime Sector has completed 52 port projects in Luzon, 64 port projects in Visayas, and 27 port projects in Mindanao. The completed port projects have managed to generate 4,000 jobs, and benefitted over 8,000 fisherfolks nationwide.
The 143 seaport projects involve the construction of new and modernized social and tourism ports, as well as the rehabilitation and expansion of existing ports to provide better accessibility to fishers, tourists, and coastal communities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Tugade also shared a story of one example on how the development of social and tourism ports benefits the community. In Lingayen, Pangasinan, some students had to travel at least 50 minutes to reach their school through a motor banca. With the completed Lingayen Riverside Landing project, students can now reach their destination in just five minutes.
“Para maka-pasok sa kanilang paaralan, magco-commute sila ng 45 to 55 minutes. Noong nagawa po ito, ‘yung pagbiyahe ng mga estudyante sa kanilang paaralan ay hindi na umaabot ng 45 to 55 minutes. Mr. President, five minutes, nakarating na sila sa kanilang eskwela,” said Tugade.
