PPA unveils 5 projects worth P1.7B

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PPA unveils 5 projects worth P1.7B
Philippine Ports Authority general manager Jay Santiago at the July 11 press conference on PPA's 50th anniversary. Photo from PPA.
  • The Philippine Ports Authority launched five projects worth over P1.7 billion during its 50th founding anniversary ceremony on July 11
  • The agency also earmarked about P16 billion for various infrastructure projects in the next four years
  • These include 14 big-ticket projects: five port projects in Luzon, six in the Visayas, and three in Mindanao

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) launched five projects worth over P1.7 billion during its 50th founding anniversary ceremony on July 11.

The agency also earmarked about P16 billion for various infrastructure projects in the next four years, including 14 big-ticket projects nationwide.

The five completed projects are:

  • P222.67 million Law Enforcement Building (LEB) in Currimao Port, Ilocos Norte
  • P92.886 million K9 Academy in Mabalacat, Pampanga
  • P312.114 million Balanacan Port Expansion Project in Marinduque
  • P473.623 million Tubigon Passenger Terminal Building in Bohol
  • P620.637 million Jubang Cruise Terminal in Siargao

The LEB in Currimao port is a state-of-the-art facility aimed to strengthen security measures and streamline coordination among various government agencies tasked with ensuring the safety of ports and waters nationwide.

PPA general manager Jay Daniel Santiago in a press briefing on July 9 said they wanted to provide an area for all security forces involved in maritime security, such as the PPA port police, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police-Maritime Group, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency so they can continuously and consistently coordinate. The LEB will be replicated in many other PPA ports nationwide.

The PPA-PCG K9 Academy in Pampanga was established to assist the PCG by providing a dedicated academy equipped with, among others, comprehensive facilities, including training centers, and living quarters. The project is expected to produce a greater number of trained K9 handlers who can provide services at PPA ports and other transportation hubs.

The Balanacan port project includes the expansion of the operations area and construction of a bypass road to improve traffic flow to the terminal. The project aims to improve the port’s facilities to accommodate the growing demands of maritime trade and commerce in the province.

The newly upgraded passenger terminal building at Port of Tubigon in Bohol is now a two-story facility, capable of accommodating more than 1,000 passengers at any given time. The new terminal building features state-of-the-art amenities, including passenger waiting areas, baggage handling facilities, and food kiosks.

The cruise ship port in Jubang port in Dapa, Surigao del Norte is the first dedicated cruise terminal that PPA completed. Santiago said this “earmarks of opening up of Siargao to cruise tourism.”

Aside from Jubang port, PPA is also working on cruise terminals at the ports of Camiguin, Coron, Puerto Galera, and Boracay.

Santiago noted that PPA’s average annual budget for infrastructure projects—which includes new, repair and maintenance, or expansion—is usually around P3.5-4 billion for about 40 projects per year.

The 14 big-ticket projects eyed nationwide by 2028 are as follows:

Luzon

  • Port Capinpin expansion project in Orion, Bataan
  • Currimao port expansion and restoration project in Ilocos Norte
  • Jose Panganiban port improvement project in Camarines Norte
  • Balogo port in Camarines Sur
  • Claveria port wharf in Cagayan

Visayas

  • Construction of wharf and operational area in Catacbacan port in Loon, Bohol
  • Tapal port expansion project in Ubay, Bohol
  • New port development projects in Lavezares, Northern Samar
  • Babatngon port in Leyte
  • Banago port improvement project in Negros Occidental
  • Ormoc port expansion project in Leyte

Mindanao

  • Construction of cargo ship port in Dapa, Surigao del Norte
  • Upgrading of general cargo berth in Davao-Sasa port
  • Plaridel port expansion in Misamis Occidental