The Department of Transportation (DOTr), through the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), said it has completed 84 commercial and tourism ports in the Visayas region.
DOTr said of the total, 20 are commercial and 64 are social and tourism port projects.
The commercial ports include Tagbilaran Port in Bohol, which now has a world class passenger terminal building (PTB) that can accommodate up to 1100 passengers from just 497 passengers before the rehabilitation.
Other ports include Maribojoc Port, Baybay Port in Leyte; Alegria Port in Aklan; Basiao Port in Capiz; Dumangas Port, Iloilo Commercial Port Complex at Estancia Port in Iloilo; Jordan Port in Guimaras; and Banago Port in Negros Occidental among others.
For the social and tourism ports in Western Visayas Region include Manoc-Manoc Port sa Aklan; Barbaza Port, Brgy. Nato Port, Bugasong Port, Hamtic Port, and Pandan Port sa Antique among others.
In Central Visayas six projects are completed include the rehabilitation at improvement projects in Malapascua Port in Cebu, rehabilitation projects in Baclayon and Aguinning Ports in Bohol, Lazi Port in Siquijor, and construction of causeway, back-up area and PTB at Brgy. U-og Port in Bohol.
In Eastern Visayas, 33 social and tourism ports have completed include Brgy. Amandayhan Port, Brgy. Mualbual Wharf, and City Wharf Pier 1 in Samar among others.
Aside from connectivity at mobility, these projects are expected to boost tourism and economy in Visayas region according to DOTr.
Meanwhile, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) officer-in-charge, CG vice admiral Eduardo Fabricante has directed all Coast Guard units to prepare for the anticipated increase in maritime-related activities, following the downgrading of COVID-19 alert level to “Alert Level 1” in the National Capital Region (NCR) and lighter travel restrictions in other parts of the country starting today, March 1, 2022. – Myla Iglesias
