TAGBILARAN FINALLY GETS NEW PORT TERMINAL

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) on Wednesday inaugurated the new passenger terminal building of the Tagbiliran Port in Bohol province, eight years after it was damaged by an earthquake.

The new building is the second terminal at Tagbiliran City’s main seaport, the DOTr said, and it is expected to accommodate 613 more passengers, nearly doubling its capacity from the initial 497.

“We ask that the local government take care of this project so that many of your constituents may benefit from it for a long time,” Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade said.

“It is a shame for Bohol residents if these structures remain destroyed due to other calamities, and if it will no longer be of use,” he added.

On Oct. 15, 2013, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Bohol province, killing at least 222 people and injuring 976 others.

Maribojoc port, too

Aside from the Tagbiliran port, the DOTr said the Maribojoc port was also greatly affected by the 2013 earthquake.

According to the agency, the Maribojoc Port Improvement Project, which aims to repurpose it to a cargo port, is now 95.41-percent complete and is expected to be operational by the first week of June.

It added that the DOTr and the PPA had completed 15 seaport projects in Tagbiliran, Jagna, Tapal, Ubay, Catagbacan, Tubigon, Talibon, Inabanga, Baclayon and Aguinning.