DOTR, CPA inaugurates P989M Cebu Port expansion, starts San Fernando Port in 2022

 MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY--The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Cebu Port Authority (CPA) inaugurated the newly-completed port expansion project at Berths 7-10 at the Cebu Baseport in Cebu City with a budget of P989 million, a significant milestone for CPA under The Build, Build, Build Program of this administration.

CPA general manager Leonilo Miole, in his message during the event on November 26 said that the newly expanded port is seen to accommodate increased vessel traffic, improve cargo handling capacity and enhance the overall port productivity of the Cebu Baseport, one of the busiest and main gateway ports in the country.

Miole said that the Port expansion project included the construction of a 40-meter width and 310-meter length reinforced concrete deck and back-up/operation area, port lighting system, complete mooring and docking facilities and gantry crane rails to accommodate the projected increase of Granty Cranes to achieve shorter turn-around time for cargo operations.

He bared that Phase 1 of the expansion project with a budget of P339-million started in August 2017 and was completed and operationalized in January 2019. Phase 2 commenced on February 2020 with a budget of P600-million and was turned-over to CPA on October 2021 following the completion of contract with UKC Builders, Inc.

Miole added that CPA’s commitment to progress is to continuously initiate port development and improvement projects to ensure more convenient and safer port operations for the benefit of all port users and stakeholders.

In similar development, the construction of San Fernando Port Project at Barangay Poblacion, San Fernando, Cebu will begin on January 2022, after CPA has completed the procurement activities and after it has received the approval for the award of contract to WTG Construction and Development Corporation from the Cebu Port Commission on November 26 during its regular board meeting.

Miole said the CPA will issue the Notice of Award, sign the contract and then issue the Notice to Proceed to immediately start the groundwork and construction on January 2022 and the project is expected to be completed on May 2023.

The San Fernando Port once completed forms part of the Central Spine Roro Route Project of DOTr to put the RORO facilities in place to maintain an inter-island connectivity and for trade and tourism needs.

San Fernando Port Project is expected to cater to vessels plying from the town to Tubigon and Jagna ports in Bohol; to the municipalities of Mambajao and Mahinog in Camiguin and then finally stop at harbors in Balingoan and Cagayan de Oro in Misamis Oriental. (Photo: CPA/Google Images)