Read this in The Manila Times digital edition.
THE Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is set to embark on another massive infrastructure investment as it celebrates its 49th Founding Anniversary on July 11, 2023.
Armed with a new mandate after being reappointed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in October of 2022, the PPA management — led by PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago — is simply continuing where it left off at the end of the PRRD regime.
One good thing about being reappointed is the continuity of its projects, starting with at least 30 big-ticket projects which were completed by PPA in the first year of PBBM administration. These projects are on top of the close to 100 more port projects, which the PPA committed to complete in the first couple of years of the current administration.
During the Rodrigo Duterte regime, the PPA completed about 248 major commercial port projects, which form part of the close to 600 port projects that were completed in the full six years of that administration.
The first 30 projects that were already completed, will guarantee the smooth movement of people and cargo and respond properly to the demands of both local and domestic shipping.
"Pursuant to the marching order of President BBM, we are undertaking initiatives to minimize logistic cost, at least on the part of PPA, to make sure that we make our operations more efficient," GM Santiago said.
"A lot of our stakeholders are willing to pay the right price for the right service as long as it is efficient, as long as it is transparent, as long as it is reasonable," Santiago added.
He added that these projects were completed using PPA's internally generated funds without any need for a loan or any overseas development assistance.
The 30 completed seaport projects, on the other hand, include the construction of additional operational areas at the Port of Currimao in Ilocos Norte for a budget of P152 million aimed at improving cruise tourism in the region. Currimao is also in close proximity to the hometown of the President, Batac, Ilocos Norte along with Malacanang of the North and the famous Sand Dunes.
The second port was the construction of the Passenger Terminal Building at the Port of Ubay with a budget of about P86.9 million. The project was undertaken to facilitate the movement of goods and people to and from Leyte, Samar, and Mindanao via Southern Leyte.
Also completed was the back-up area with Ro-Ro ramp and platform at the Port of Capinpin in Orion, Bataan for a budget of P240 million for the port to cater more vessels and cargoes intended for the Bataan Export Processing Zone. Capinpin also houses one of PPA's Crew Change Hubs.
The Port of Ambulong Port Expansion Project in Magdiwang, Romblon was intended to enhance trade flow between Sibuyan Island and Batangas while also connecting Romblon and Tablas Island. The port was completed for a budget of P164 million.
The port operational area at the Port of Calatagan in Batangas was completed for a budget of P110 million. This work was undertaken to address the facility requirement of the port based on increased projected port traffic.
Rounding up the 30 completed projects were the Extension of the RC Wharf project at the Port of Culasi in Roxas, Capiz with a budget of P61.5 million; the construction of the continuous Ro-Ro Ramp at the Port of Cagayan de Oro for P182 million in order to ensure safe and secure Ro-Ro operations at the port as well as its gate complex with a different budget amounting to P54.76 million, and upgrading of its power substation for a budget of P257 million; construction of back-up area and port lighting system at the Port of Esperanza in Masbata for a budget of P140 million; port expansion and upgrading of the Port of Matnog in Sorsogon for P323 million to respond to limited operational area at the port; construction of Breakwater at the Port of Nasugbu in Batangas with a project cost of P510 million; back-up area with Ro-Ro ramp platform at the Port of San Jose in Occidental Mindoro for P87.7 million;
Port Operations Building at the Port of Coron, which was inaugurated in March with a budget of P267 million, which boast of a 500-passenger capacity and all-gender restrooms; construction of back-up area and transit shed at the Port of Lucena for P223 million; extension of RC Pier and provision of Ro-Ro ramp at the Port of Viras for a budget of P50.47 million; port expansion project at the Port of Abra de Ilog in Occidental Mindoro with a budget of P517 million; construction of port operational area at the Port of Calapan for P267 million as well as the construction of the Passenger Terminal Building of the port that is considered at the biggest PTB in the country, thus far, for a budget of P364 million; extension of RC wharf at the Port of Guiuan in Eastern Samar with a budget of P23.87 million; rehabilitation and upgrading of existing Back-up area and construction of Port Operations Building at the Port of Maguino-o in Calbayog, Samar with a cost of P183 million; expansion of back-up area with Ro-Ro ramp at the Port of Lipata in Surigao del Norte with a project cost of P265 million; construction of back-up area and RC Wharf-on-Fill at the Port of Ozamiz, Misamis Occidental with a project cost of 327 million; construction of port operations building and transit shed at the Port of Masbate for P142 million; construction of back-up area and port operations building at the Port of Mauban in Quezon for P135 million; port improvement project at the Port of Isabela in Basilan for P381 million; extension of RC Wharf and Reclamation of Back-up area at the Port of Iligan with a budget of P296 million. These ports were carried out to give better facilities to port users.
To improve potentials through connectivity by constructing new ports, the PPA completed the Port of Dona Helene in Surigao Del Norte for P63.41 million which includes a cruise port and a dedicated cargo terminal; the port development project at the Port of Cobo in Catanduanes with a budget of P49.41 million; and the upgrading and expansion of the Port of Lawigan in Surigao del Sur with a budget of P178 million.
Aside from celebrating these huge feats by completing these projects, the PPA lined up several activities for the week-long celebration of its anniversary. Among the notable events include the PPA Bazaar, the launching of the PPA Mascot, and the holding of the Tugsayawit among its Port Management Offices aside from the two-day capacity-building seminar for its Port Managers and Media Relations Officers. The employees will also be treated to a Wellness Day. Culminating the event is a bloodletting program and the donation is to be given to Hospicio de San Jose.