12 JUNE 2020, MANILA--TheDepartment of Transportation and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) announce the completion of 14 strategic port projects completed in the midst of the country’s fight against the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
These projects, when finally operated, will boost the operational capability of the ports particularly with the near resumption of interisland passenger travel and the movement of essential goods while the country tries to veer away from the clutches of the pandemic.
On top of these completed projects, 22 more projects are set to be completed and inaugurated within the year in support of the Build, Build, Build initiative of the current administration.
PPA General Manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago said that while the completed projects had encountered some delays due to the imposition of the nationwide community quarantine against COVID-19, the contractors were still able to deliver the projects within the allowable period.
“What is more important is these projects were completed without any COVID-19 casualty since we were able to implement the necessary safety measures immediately,” Santiago said.
“We will continue this practice of ‘new normal’ in the completion of several projects already in the pipeline in order to meet local and global trade and tourism demands of the future while making sure that our workers are safe amid the continuing threat of the global health pandemic,” Santiago stressed.
He added that with the constant guidance from the Department of Transportation, these projects, once completed, will make port operations at par with global standards.
The completed projects, which are being virtually inaugurated as of this writing, include:
1. Port of Borac in Coron, Palawan
2. Port of Cawit in Boac, Marinduque
3. Port of Estancia in Iloilo
4. Port of Iligan in Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte
5. Port of Jagna in Bohol
6. Port of Mansalay in Oriental Mindoro
7. Port of Ozamiz in Misamis Occidental
8. Port of San Fernando in El Nido, Palawan
9. Port of Tagbilaran in Bohol
10. Port of Malalag in Davao del Sur
11. Port of Currimao in Ilocos Sur
12. Port of Masao in Agusan del Norte
13-14. Iloilo Commercial Port Complex (2 separate projects)
The 22 projects, set to be finished at the end of 2020, include the Pier 18 Rehabilitation and upgrade in Vitas, Tondo, Manila; the construction of Port Operations Building in Abra de Ilog in Occidental Mindoro; the Balanacan Port Expansion Project in Marinduque; the construction of RC Pier and Ro-Ro ramp at the port of Bansud in Oriental Mindoro; construction of back-up area at the Port of Bulalacao also in Oriental Mindoro; construction of Ro-Ro ramp and expansion project at the Port of Bulan in Sorsogon; the construction of the Coastal Access Road project at the Port of Calapan; port expansion project of Port of Capinpin; reconstruction of the Carmen Port in San Agustin, Romblon; Cobo Port Construction Project in Cobo, Catanduanes; the construction of Port Operations Buildings in the ports of Coron, Currimao, Masbate, Mauban in Quezon, and Talaga in Mabini, Batangas; port rehabilitation and upgrading of RC wharf at the Port of Legazpi; the port expansion projects in Matnog, Puerto Princesa in Palawan, Salomague in Ilocos Sur, Tablas in Romblon, and TMO Pasig; and the rehabilitation of the Port of Tabaco in Albay.
“The PPA remains committed to the Build, Build, Build Program of the Government. With the continuity of these port projects through the guidance of the Department of Transportation, the country is still on its way of providing port services of global standards, which translates to comfortable lives for Filipinos,” Santiago said.
“Since we assumed office, the DOTr and the PPA have been working triple time to facilitate ease of movement for people and goods throughout the archipelago. Seaport projects have been built and rehabilitated even to the farthest regions with one goal of providing a comfortable life to every Filipino. And now that we are facing a crisis and is gearing towards the transition to a “new normal”, our goal remains firm. In fact, we are even more determined to complete numerous seaport projects in different parts of the country to propel development in a fast-paced manner and optimize the advantages of our maritime nation as we begin the healing process,” DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade stressed.
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