PPA to open more cruise ship terminals, improved ports

Following the grand opening of the passenger terminal building of the Batangas Port in Batangas City graced by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. recently, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said it is planning to improve and construct more projects to modernize and boost the sea travel experience in the country.

PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago said the priority are cruisededicated passenger terminal as its way of contributing to the national government, through the Department of Tourism, to lure more local and foreign tourists to explore tourist sites in the country.

“Other than ports that we are improving, we are also constructing dedicated cruise terminals like Siargao. Hopefully, the Siargao cruise terminal would be operational by third quarter of this year,” said Santiago.

At least 300,000 tourist arrivals from cruise ships are expected this year and Santiago said some of the projects that the PPA initiated in the past are now operational.

Among them are the cruise terminals in Coron in Palawan, Currimao in Ilocos Norte, Salomague Port in Ilocos Sur, Buruanga in Aklan, and Camiguin.

Aside from cruise-dedicated terminals, also under construction are new passenger terminal buildings that include one in Zamboanga which is expected to open this year.

In order to ensure the availability of more ships with the improvement on Philippine ports, Santiago said they are continuously coordinating with the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) for the deployment of more passenger vessels.

“PPA still has a lot of surprises for our ‘kababayans.’ You will see new terminals opening and the design of our terminals will reflect the local culture like the one in Calapan Port wherein the theme there was on the culture of Mangyan people,” said Santiago. For the passenger terminal building in Zamboanga City, Santiago said it will reflect the local flavor in the area.

Marcos cited the PPA for initiating the construction of modern facilities to improve the sea travel experience of the Filipino people.

“I am sure of the comfortable travel of our passengers who are encourage to travel because of these modern facilities. For this, we have to commend the Philippine Ports Authority and the Department of Transportation for accomplishing together this important project and delivering what we have promised to the people,” Marcos said in his speech during the opening of the passenger terminal building at the Batangas Port.

Santiago expressed confidence that the improvement in various ports across the country will provide more opportunities for residents.

“These improvements have paved the way to accommodate more passengers. We are looking at about 300 percent increase in revenue,” said Santiago. “With more passengers, the positive effects also reflect on the local economy because more food kiosks would be available, which means more services that will contribute to the local employment and small businesses in the community.”