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The Philippine Ports Authority inaugurated the completed Plaridel Port Development and Improvement Project in Misamis Occidental, finished on Oct. 18, 2026
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The project adds a reinforced concrete wharf with a roll-on/roll-off ramp, an operational area, and mooring and breasting dolphins
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The port handled 73,758 metric tons of cargo and 126,191 passengers in 2024, and PPA expects 128,620 metric tons by 2034
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has inaugurated the completed Plaridel Port Development and Improvement Project in Misamis Occidental, a gateway linking Northwestern Mindanao to Siquijor, Bohol and Cebu in the Visayas. PPA says the upgrade is meant to improve port operations, ease the movement of passengers and cargo, and support the local economy.
PPA says construction was completed on Oct. 18, 2026. The work included a reinforced concrete wharf with a RoRo ramp, a port operational area, and mooring and breasting dolphins, the structures that help vessels moor safely. The new facilities add space for vessels, vehicle marshalling and queuing, parking and cargo handling. PPA says this should make the movement of vehicles, farm products and other essential goods more efficient and safe. The release does not give the project’s cost.
PPA General Manager Jay Santiago and other officials attended the inauguration with local government leaders. “With the completion of this project, we are further improving the capacity of the Port of Plaridel to serve the growing maritime transport needs of the region,” Santiago said. He added that the project is expected to create and sustain jobs in port operations, transport, logistics, security and related services.
Traffic and projections
In 2024, the Port of Plaridel handled 73,758 metric tons of cargo, 126,191 passengers and 4,250 vehicles, with 166 vessel calls (159 RoRo and seven non-RoRo). Passenger traffic grew 11.77% and vehicle traffic 7.30%.
Based on traffic trends and economic and population growth, PPA expects the port to handle 128,620 metric tons of cargo, 140,895 passengers and 7,411 vehicles by 2034, with about 184 vessel calls. By PortCalls’ calculation, that is about 74% more cargo and vehicles and 12% more passengers than in 2024.
Who benefits
PPA says passengers from Misamis Occidental and nearby provinces will benefit: Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Lanao del Sur, South Cotabato and North Cotabato, as well as Cotabato City. It also expects the project to help farmers, fisherfolk, traders and micro, small and medium enterprises reach inter-island markets with farm and fishery products and construction materials.
Cargo traffic at Philippine ports has been growing. Ports under PPA jurisdiction handled 239.906 million metric tons of cargo in the first three quarters, up 2.76% from 233.466 million mt in the same period last year due to higher foreign cargo volumes.
