DOTr, PPA complete 472 port projects in 5 years
TAKING cue from President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s order to make the Filipino life convenient and comfortable, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) have completed a total of 472 port projects nationwide in a five-year span, resulting to improved connectivity and mobility in the entire archipelago.
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, ‘Art, make the Filipino life convenient and comfortable.’,” Secretary Tugade explained during the inaugural ceremonies of the 7 seaports in Bohol Province Friday, October 29, 2021.
Some notable seaport projects completed by the DOTr and PPA are the Port of Cagayan de Oro, the country’s biggest port PTB 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 Duterte’s term include the Port of Calapan in Oriental Mindoro, which can accommodate 3,500 passengers at any given time, and the Port of Zamboanga, which offers a highly-detailed and intricate security system that can accommodate 4,000 passengers at any given time and will surpass the Port of Cagayan de Oro in terms of passenger capacity.
Rounding up the 472 seaport projects are the newly-inaugurated seven expanded and modernized Bohol ports, namely: 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, mobility requirements of the Filipinos have been addressed, Secretary Tugade said.
“Hindi mangyayari ito kung wala tayong liderato mula kay President Duterte na nagbigay ng suporta, inspirasyon, courage and endurance for us to be able to do these projects,” he said.
Apart from addressing mobility and connectivity, the seaports will be of great lift to the shipping industry, fisherfolk, business, agriculture and tourism industries, employment and economic growth in the country.
