PPA to open seaports, upgrade airport

Tourism stakeholders in the provinces are expected to gain from an increased flow of travelers with the scheduled opening of three seaports and the upgrade of a Visayan airport.

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) yesterday said would complete three seaport projects in Southern Tagalog and Bicol Region.

PPA general manager Jay Santiago said the PPA would inaugurate on March 8 the port operations building, as well as the transit shed, of the Port of Masbate.

Santiago said the new building would raise the passenger capacity of the Port of Masbate by more than five times to 542 from just 100. He said the 1,000-sqm transit shed would be used as an income generating facility to be offered for rent to cargo handlers.

On the other hand, the PPA plans to open on March 15 the port operations building of the Coron Port. The agency has expanded the facility to double its passenger capacity to 500 to serve the resurgent demand for travel to Palawan.

Further, Santiago said the new building would host a prayer room, charging stations, breastfeeding area, as well as all-gender restrooms.

Last, the PPA will inaugurate the passenger terminal building of the Port of Calapan – the largest of its kind across the Philippines – on March 21 that can serve 3,500 travelers at any given time, from 1,600 before.

Santiago said the expansion project worth P353 million built a prayer room, breastfeeding area, and all-gender restrooms, as well as installed elevators and escalators, in the facility.

In a similar development, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has secured P500 million in budget from Congress for the upgrade of the Evelio Javier Airport in Antique.

Transportation Undersecretary Roberto Lim said the amount would be used to extend the runway.

Also, the DOTr will deploy a portion of the financing to relocate the Salazar Elementary School located within the vicinity of the airport. The agency will also build a passenger terminal building, control tower and fire house for the gateway.

“The fund allocation will guarantee an upsurge in tourism and economic activities in Antique and Western Visayas,” Lim said.

According to Lim, the DOTr received the additional funding through the initiatives of Senate Pro Tempore Loren Legarda and Antique Rep. Antonio Legarda as part of efforts to improve regional gateways and scale up travel and tourism.