DOTr completes 472 seaports, 227 airports in PH in 5-years’ time

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

TAGBILARAN CITY -- President Rodrigo Roa Duterte with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) led by secretary Art Tugade and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Santiago simultaneously inaugurated on October 29, 2021 seven port development projects in Bohol as part of the 472 seaport projects completed in various parts of the county since 2016 improving the country’s connectivity and mobility.

 

    

President Duterte, in his message during the Bohol event commended DOTr and the PPA for successfully completing the projects that mark another milestone under his Build, Build, Build program. 

“All these developments support this administration’s vision to provide our people with improved mobility as well as other comfortable, productive, and dignified life for every Filipino,” he said.

DOTr and PPA completed the expansion, rehabilitation, and modernization projects of the seven Bohol ports, namely: Maribojoc, Tagbilaran, Jagna, Ubay, Tapal, Loon, and Talibon to prepare the province to handle future mobility and connectivity demands not only in the Visayas region but also to the rest of Mindanao and mainland Luzon.

The constructions and repairs done in these ports will allow Bohol to accommodate more people and goods from neighboring provinces and contribute much to the province’s recovery from the pandemic and these ports will strengthen the capacity of Bohol as a catalyst of economic growth in Central Visayas, the President said.

Bohol governor Arthur Yap recognized and thanked the support of PRRD, DOTr and PPA in the various developments of airports and seaports in Bohol.  “Mayor, few presidents in the annals of our history can claim the distinction of supporting Bohol in the way that you have,” he told PRRD.

Yap added that President Duterte has given Bohol not just infrastructure projects but handed a brighter and more promising tomorrow for all Boholanos.

DOTr secretary Art Tugade said that by opening these seven ports will not only secure opportunities for tourism and economic sustainability, but also ensure Bohol’s inclusive growth and open doors for investments.

“Sa ating mga minamahal na Kababayang Boholano, and Mr. President, Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte, narito na ang hinihintay nating pagbabago," Tugade said as he presented the projects to PRRD.

Tugade, in his Facebook account said that the DOTr and PPA have completed 472 seaport projects nationwide in a five-year span, resulting to improved connectivity and mobility in the entire archipelago.

These include the Port of Cagayan de Oro, the country’s biggest port passenger terminal building to date; Port of Ormoc; Ports of Borac, San Fernando and Bataraza in Palawan; Port of Opol in Misamis Oriental; Port of General Santos; Port of Dumaguete; Port of Currimao in Ilocos Norte; Port of Dumaguete; and Babak Port in Davao Del Norte.

Meanwhile, ongoing big-ticket port projects to be completed before the end of President Duterte’s term include the Port of Calapan in Oriental Mindoro, which can accommodate 3,500 passengers at any given time, and the Port of Zamboanga, which offers a highly-detailed and intricate security system that can accommodate 4,000 passengers at any given time and will surpass the Port of Cagayan de Oro in terms of passenger capacity.

In the Aviation sector, Tugade bared that DOTr, CAAP and MCIAA had completed 227 airport projects across the country that include the terminal 2 of the Clark International Airport, the Bohol-Panglao International Airport, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, the Bicol International Airport, the CNS/ATM, and airport projects in Calbayog, Camiguin, Siquijor, Kalibo, Tuguegarao, Catarman, San Vicente in Palawan, and many more.

“Ilan din po sa ating airport projects na ating pinasinayaan nitong nakaraan lamang ay ang Butuan Airport, Catarman Airport Rehabilitation Project, ang General Santos International Airport, at ang Zamboanga Airport,” Tugade said on his Facebook account. (Photos: DOTr)