‘Build, Build, Build’ for the future: Seaport projects

Seaport projects translate to better connectivity and mobility, especially since we live in an archipelagic nation that is composed of over 7,000 islands

When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in the country early this year, the strong wave of the health crisis was felt from coast to coast.

The pandemic underscored our high dependency on maritime trade and highlighted the importance of the free flow of goods and people through the sea. Even with the adverse effect of the pandemic to global trade, it was still business as usual for the maritime sector, as this essential driver of the economy should not in any way be hampered.

As highlighted by Department of Transportation (DoTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade in numerous events, seaport projects translate to better connectivity and mobility, especially since we live in an archipelagic nation that is composed of over 7,000 islands. This is one of the fundamental reasons why we need to develop our seaports throughout the country. And with the pressing situation that we are in, there is no better time to optimize our advantages as a maritime nation than now.

What we need is a rapid and vigorous rebound to help our economy resuscitate from its apparent decline.

For the government and its economic team, we turn our hope to the ambitious “Build, Build, Build” program as this will definitely foster a favorable environment in reviving the country’s economy. It is our continuity plan moving forward.

And so, immense improvements and advancements have been made in the country’s seaports across all regions, despite the sweeping COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the Duterte administration took over in 2016 up to the present, the DoTr Maritime sector and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), under the leadership of general manager Jay Daniel Santiago, were able to complete 369 seaport projects, while 108 others are still ongoing.

Of these projects, 189 commercial port projects have been completed, while 37 are ongoing.

These include the completed port projects virtually inaugurated even with the present COVID-19 pandemic, namely the Port of Borac in Coron, Palawan; Port of Cawit in Boac, Marinduque;

Port of Estancia in Iloilo; Port of Iligan in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte; Port of Jagna in Bohol; Port of Mansalay in Oriental Mindoro; Port of Ozamiz in Misamis Occidental; Port of San Fernando in El Nido, Palawan; Port of Tagbilaran in Bohol; Port of Malalag in Davao del Sur; Port of Currimao in Ilocos Sur; Port of Masao in Agusan del Norte; and two separate projects for the Iloilo Commercial Port Complex.

Moreover, the DoTr, through its Maritime sector, has completed 180 social and tourism port projects, while 71 are ongoing.

These completed port projects include the Port of Quinapondan in Eastern Samar; Port of Villaba in Barangay Silad in Villaba, Leyte; Port of Kawayan in Kawayan, Biliran; Port of Hindan in Hindang, Leyte; Port of Carigara in Carigara, Leyte; Port of Polloc in Parang, Maguindanao; Port of Albuera in Albuera, Leyte; and Port of Llorente in Llorente, Eastern Samar, among others.

With or without this unprecedented crisis, port development remains an important ingredient to support the agri-tourism thrust that will be the catalyst for the nation’s progress.

Building and rehabilitating ports, even in the farthest regions, were carried out in a swift and efficient manner, as the transportation sector firmly believes this initiative will definitely propel regional development.

Further, with the continuity of port development projects, the country remains on track in providing port services of global standards. These projects are also expected to bolster the operational capability of ports, especially with the preparation of increased interisland travel demand and to ensure unhampered movement of essential goods post-pandemic.

With or without this unprecedented crisis, port development remains an important ingredient to support the agri-tourism thrust that will be the catalyst for the nation’s progress, and that which will ultimately redound to a comfortable life for the Filipino people.