DOTr completes P6-B port projects

The government has completed 129 commercial port projects worth over P6 billion in the first two years of the Duterte administration, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

In 2016 alone, 68 projects worth P3.17 billion were completed, it said.

These include port expansion projects worth P309 million in Puerto Princesa, Palawan; P272 million wharf extension in Lapaz, Iloilo City; as well as Phase III of the rehabilitation and improvement of the Tacloban City Port.

“Several improvement projects were also carried out in Mindanao, which is poised to be the center of the Duterte administration’s infrastructure buildup or the Build Build Build program,” the DOTr said.

Among these are the construction of a passenger terminal building and installation of a lighting system in the port of Glan in Sarangani; construction of a ro-ro ramp in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte; wharf extension in Masao, Butuan City; and improvement of the power system in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte.

Meanwhile, 40 port projects worth over P2.9 billion were completed in 2017.

These include the P476 million gantry crane project in Zamboanga City and P593-million crane project in Makar, South Cotabato; P157-million port expansion in Larena, Siquijor; and the P48-million wharf widening project in the Pasig River.

PPA general manager Jay Daniel Santiago said the government is pouring in billions in the next five years to improve and modernize ports in the country.

“We have been injecting so much investment in our ports. We are thanking the President and Secretary Tugade for these projects,” he said.

For the first four months alone, 21 projects have been completed, including the provision of a baggage X-ray room at the screening area of the Dapitan Port in Zamboanga del Norte, port road widening in Dumangas, Iloilo, and alternate access road project in Iligan, Lanao del Norte.

Apart from the completed port projects, the DOTr also reported that it’s Maritime Sector has completed four social/tourism port projects worth P45 million in 2017.

Among these are the causeway construction and widening in the Badoc Port in Ilocos Norte and Mongpong Port in Sta. Cruz, Marinduque; port rehabilitation of the San Jose Port in Camarines Sur; and wharf extension of the Talisay Port in Batangas.

It added that 24 more social/tourism ports are undergoing construction, while 59 others are programmed to be constructed this year.

In addition, there are 46 port development projects ongoing amounting to over P7.1 billion.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said better port facilities would strengthen tourism in the country and bolster the Philippines’ appeal as a cruise destination.