DOTr to build RoRo facility in rehabilitated Port of Talaga in Batangas

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Transportation (DOTr) inaugurated the rehabilitated Port of Talaga in Mabini town, Batangas province on Wednesday (June 30) while announcing plans to further expand the facility with roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) capabilities.

According to the department, the project started in September 2019 and was officially completed last April 27. It included the construction of a port operations building and a new lighting system.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, who led the event, said the project boosts the Port of Talaga’s position as a secondary gateway to Anilao, a popular destination of divers also in Batangas.

Apart from tourism-related projects, he said the DOTr would also build a RoRo ramp by August or September 2021.

“The port will have Roro capabilities within a period of six months counted from August or September,” Tugade said at the inauguration, which was streamed online.

Jay Santiago, general manager at the Philippine Ports Authority, said the Port of Talaga was beneficial to Batangas province and would not compete with the larger Port of Batangas.

“We need to foolproof [and be] ready for any contingency, whether congestion or damage [in] alternative facilities,” he said at the event. “We don’t see any conflict with Batangas port or facilities. In fact, this will complement it and will provide greater improvements for the whole province.”

TSB