PPA in R158-M Palawan reclamation

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has allocated R158 million to reclaim 4,500 square meters of land for expanding its operations in Coron, Palawan to cope with the growing demand, according to Elvis Medalla, the area’s port manager.

Already, freight and passenger demand in Coron surged 30 percent last year and is expected to continue growing in 2018.

On average, a handful of ships dock in the Coron port daily, translating 1,825 calls per year. On the other hand, passenger traffic numbered 250,000 in 2017.

The reclamation project will also extend the berthing space in the Coron port to 350 meters to accommodate the increasing number of ships making their calls there.

The present wharf is only 298 meters long. So, “We will extend it by another 51 meters,” he confirmed.

“Growth started last year, when two fast crafts started operating here,” Medalla elaborated. “We have seen an average of 30 percent increase in terms of passengers and cargo ever since.”

“Our passenger and cargo traffic surged since Boracay closed down for its six-month rehabilitation. That’s why we need to expand the wharf though this will only be enough to handle the projected surge in the next five years.”

PPA expects to complete the reclamation and port expansion by February, 2019 although Medalla hopes to fasttrack the project as more cruise ships are coming in.