Transportation dep’t sees Cagayan de Oro port terminal opening in December

THE PASSENGER terminal building at the Cagayan de Oro port is expected for completion on Dec. 15, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) said.

In a statement on Sunday, DoTr said the construction of the terminal, which is the biggest in the country is now in full swing.

“This modern two- storey terminal building houses passenger port facilities which include check-in areas equipped with x-ray scanning machines, walk-through metal detectors, restrooms, charging stations, pay parking, ticketing offices, and field offices for Port and Tourist police,” it added.

When the terminal opens, DoTr said it expects to be used by 3,000 passengers every day.

In June 2016, the Philippine Ports Authority ( PPA) issued the Notice to Proceed for the construction of the terminal. According to the PPA website, the construction company in charge is Jejor’s Construction Corp.

PPA posted a decline in net profit for the first quarter due to dredging costs. In a statement in May, it said net profit fell 4% year on year to P2.259 billion.

“Dredging as well as repair and maintenance costs comprise almost our entire expenses for the period, all aimed at making our ports efficient and more responsive to the demands of the times,” PPA General Manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago said in the statement.

Mr. Santiago said the PPA hopes to hit its net profit target of P16.18 billion by year’s end with the completion of certain infrastructure projects, including the Cagayan de Oro terminal.

“Once completed, these projects will definitely boost our revenue and eventually our income all anchored on faster turnaround of vessels and cargo in our ports,” Mr. Santiago was quoted as saying. —