13 JULY 2026 – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. inaugurated the first-ever Light Craft Landing Station (LCLS) and inspected the Port Operations Building (POB) at the Port of Benoni in Mahinog, Camiguin, marking another milestone in the Marcos Administration's efforts to modernize the country's port infrastructure, strengthen inter-island connectivity, and support inclusive regional development.

Joining the President during the inauguration were Department of Transportation (DOTr) Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Santiago, local government officials, and key stakeholders from the maritime transport sector.

Serving as Camiguin's primary maritime gateway to mainland Mindanao and Bohol through the Ports of Balingoan and Jagna along the Central Nautical Highway, the Port of Benoni has continued to experience significant growth in passenger and vehicle traffic.

Passenger volume increased from 455,602 in 2022 to 792,803 in 2025, while vehicle traffic likewise grew from 76,341 to 129,066 during the same period, reflecting the province's expanding tourism industry and increasing economic activity.

Modern Infrastructure for a Growing Island Province

To address rising demand and improve passenger services, PPA developed a modern Port Operations Building designed as a one-stop facility that streamlines frontline services while providing larger passenger waiting areas, improved amenities, and enhanced safety features. The building also houses the Terminal Management Office and partner government agencies, strengthening operational efficiency, inter-agency coordination, and public service delivery.

Complementing the operations building is the Port of Benoni's first-ever dedicated Light Craft Landing Station. The project includes a new berthing facility, trestle, and a two-storey landing station that provides a dedicated area for light vessel operations. By separating light craft activities from the main port, the facility improves vessel movement, enhances navigational safety, minimizes congestion, and increases overall operational efficiency while providing a safer and more convenient travel experience for residents and visitors alike.

Together, these complementary projects significantly enhance the port's capacity to accommodate increasing passenger traffic, vessel movements, and tourism-driven economic growth while ensuring more efficient and reliable maritime services for Camiguin.

Expanding Opportunities for Tourism, Trade, and Local Livelihood

Beyond improving transport services, the facilities are expected to generate lasting economic benefits by strengthening tourism, facilitating the efficient movement of people and goods, and creating greater opportunities for local communities across the island.

Passengers will benefit from safer, faster, and more convenient travel through improved passenger processing facilities, enhanced amenities, and modern safety features. Transport operators, including passenger vessels, light craft operators, cargo haulers, and vehicle transport services, will likewise benefit from dedicated berthing facilities that improve vessel turnaround time, enhance navigational safety, and support more efficient port operations.

The upgraded infrastructure is also expected to improve the movement of agricultural products, fishery commodities, consumer goods, construction materials, fuel, and other essential supplies between Camiguin and mainland Mindanao. Faster and more reliable logistics will help reduce transport delays and costs, preserve product quality, strengthen supply chains, and improve the competitiveness of farmers, fisherfolk, local producers, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The modernization of the Port of Benoni likewise supports the continued expansion of Camiguin's tourism industry by improving accessibility and accommodating increasing visitor arrivals. Hotels, resorts, restaurants, transport providers, tour operators, dive shops, souvenir stores, and other tourism-related enterprises are expected to benefit from stronger connectivity, reinforcing Camiguin's position as one of the country's premier island destinations.

Government agencies operating within the port, including PPA, the Terminal Management Office, the Philippine Coast Guard, and other partner agencies, will also benefit from improved office facilities that enhance coordination, regulatory functions, safety, and public service delivery.

The projects likewise generated employment opportunities during construction and are expected to sustain jobs in port operations, transportation, logistics, security, maintenance, and other support services. More importantly, they further strengthen Camiguin's economic linkages with mainland Mindanao and the Visayas, supporting greater trade, investment, and long-term regional development.

For regular port users, the improvements represent a significant upgrade in the overall travel experience. "Sa katulad kong pasahero, mas marami na ang maeengganyong bumisita dito sa Camiguin, lalo na ngayon na napakaganda na ng Port of Benoni," said Albert Mendez, a regular port user.

PPA General Manager Jay Santiago emphasized that the projects demonstrate the agency's commitment to building infrastructure that delivers lasting benefits for communities.

"Our mission goes beyond constructing ports. We are building gateways that connect islands, strengthen industries, expand tourism, and create opportunities for generations of Filipinos. Every modern port we develop reflects our commitment to nation-building through infrastructure that drives inclusive growth and brings lasting progress to our communities," Santiago said.

Anchored on its vision of building smarter, greener, safer, and more resilient ports, PPA continues to invest in modern infrastructure that enhances operational efficiency while serving as a catalyst for tourism, trade, and regional development.

The inauguration of the first-ever Light Craft Landing Station, together with the Port Operations Building, further strengthens the Port of Benoni's role as Camiguin's primary maritime gateway. These developments support the province's long-term growth while advancing PPA's commitment to developing modern, resilient, and world-class ports that improve connectivity, enhance public service, and create greater opportunities for every Filipino.

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11 JULY 2026 – For 52 years, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has been connecting islands, strengthening trade, expanding tourism, and creating opportunities for millions of Filipinos. As the agency celebrates its 52nd Founding Anniversary under the theme "Beyond the Ports: 52 Years of Building Gateways for Trade, Tourism and Transformation," PPA reflects on more than five decades of nation-building while continuing to set new milestones in financial performance, infrastructure modernization, digital innovation, and people-centered public service.

52 YEARS OF MILESTONES

PPA continues to deliver strong financial performance while remaining steadfast in its public service mandate. In Fiscal Year 2025, the Authority generated its highest-ever annual revenue of ₱30.09 billion, driven by sustained growth in vessel traffic, cargo throughput, and revenue optimization initiatives.

PPA also declared a record-breaking ₱5.33 billion dividend, the highest single dividend remittance in its history since its establishment in 1974. Since 1986, PPA has returned a cumulative ₱62.33 billion in dividends to the National Government, more than two-thirds remitted from 2016 to 2025 under the leadership of General Manager Jay Santiago amounting to ₱41.5 billion, reflecting a sustained period of record financial performance. The Authority's ₱5.33-billion dividend declaration for Fiscal Year 2025 likewise stands as the highest single dividend remittance in PPA's history since its establishment in 1974.

This sustained financial performance once again earned PPA a place among the country's top-performing GOCCs in dividend contributions, proof that responsible fiscal management and efficient port operations.

CONNECTING THE NATION

PPA continued to strengthen tourism and passenger mobility by investing in modern, safe, and efficient port facilities across the country. Among the Authority's recently completed infrastructure projects are the rehabilitation and expansion of Bakbak Port, Jose Panganiban Port, Malalag Port, and San Andres Port, together with continuing modernization initiatives that improve passenger convenience, operational efficiency, and maritime safety.

Cruise tourism likewise continued to gain momentum as more international vessels called on Philippine ports, further positioning the country as an emerging cruise destination in Asia while creating greater economic opportunities for local communities, tourism stakeholders, and small businesses.

Complementing these infrastructure investments, PPA successfully piloted the Online Reservation Assistance System (ORAS) during the 2026 Holy Week travel period. Developed in-house by PPA personnel, ORAS introduced the agency's "Scan, Choose, and Reserve" process, helping improve passenger flow, reduce congestion, and provide a more convenient travel experience for thousands of port users.

TRANSFORMING THE WORKFORCE

PPA has continued to embrace digital innovation, strengthen organizational excellence, and invest in the professional growth and well-being of its workforce through accountability, and service excellence, the PPA continues to enhance its human resource systems through the Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM), while expanding learning opportunities for employees through local and international training programs.

This year's anniversary celebration likewise reflects PPA's continuing commitment to its people. Employee recognition through the Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE), wellness initiatives including the Annual Medical and Physical Examination and bloodletting activity, government service caravans, capability-building programs on social media writing and photography, and the ceremonial signing of the enhanced Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) benefit with the PANTALAN National Executive Board all underscore the Authority's belief that organizational excellence begins with a healthy, empowered, and motivated workforce.

"As we mark 52 years of serving the Filipino people, every achievement of the PPA belongs to the nation. Every peso we remit reflects our responsible stewardship of public resources, while every investment we make in modernizing our ports helps strengthen trade, tourism, and connectivity for future generations. This milestone inspires us to continue serving with excellence, integrity, and accountability." PPA GM Santiago concluded.

Established on 11 July 1974 through Presidential Decree No. 505, the Philippine Ports Authority has evolved into one of the country's leading government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), serving as the government's primary agency responsible for the integrated planning, development, financing, management, and operation of ports nationwide.

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