P556M earmarked for port projects
The government is spending more than P500 million for the development of seven more ports in key cities across the country in anticipation of increased traffic driven by a stronger domestic economy.
In a statement, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) said it had set aside P556 million to refurbish the Commercial Port Complex and Dumangas Port in Iloilo; the Tabaco Port and Pio Duran Port in Albay; the Ormoc Port in Leyte; the Lucena City Port; and the Dumaguete City Port.
This will be on top of the P93.8 million earmarked for ports in Romblon, Surigao del Norte, Boracay, Albay, Sibugay and Dinagat Island.
“This is in anticipation of the increased number of passengers and cargoes in these ports,” Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas said.
“Through an open and transparent public bidding, we hope to generate interest among our local companies to take part in the government’s effort to provide a convenient, affordable, reliable, efficient and safe sea transport system,” he said.
The Commercial Port Complex in Iloilo will be the biggest project in this latest round, getting P183.2 million for the excavation of existing seabed, the installation of interlocking concrete blocks pavement, construction of shear keys, a new lateral drainage system and a new port lighting system.
The second-biggest project is the Ormoc Port, where P91.2 million will be spent for the construction of a back-up roll-on, roll-off (Roro) ramp, seabed excavation, concrete pavement and installation of a port lighting system.
Similar enhancements will be done at Albay’s Tabaco Port, the Dumangas Port and the Lucena City Port, for P52.6 million, P63.2 million and P33.2 million, respectively.
The Dumaguete City port entails the rehabilitation of the facility’s Pier I, amounting to P76.6 million, while the Pio Duran port project in Albay covers the construction of a back-up area, a Roro ramp and a port lighting system, costing P65.2 million.
The development of the said ports will be done through the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), an agency reporting to the DoTC.
