The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is gearing towards completing the construction and rehabilitation of almost 50 seaport projects by yearend to address local and global demand.
PPA has completed 30 seaport projects during the first year of the Marcos administration, and said infrastructure development in ports nationwide will continue with the target completion of another 19 seaport projects before the end of 2023.
“Good governance, transparency, and hard work are among the biggest contributing factors for completing almost 50 infrastructure projects at the end of 2023. This is another milestone for us and a testament that Philippine ports are ready to cater to local and global demands,” Jay Santiago, PPA general manager, said in a statement.
The 19 seaport infrastructure projects to be completed by December include 11 projects in Luzon, four in Visayas and four in Mindanao, ranging from the construction and rehabilitation of backup areas, breakwaters, roll-on and roll-off (RoRo) ramps and RC piers, among others.
PPA said the public can also expect convenience and experience improved cargo handling with the upgrading of the general cargo berth at the Port of Sasa in Davao City amounting to P902 million — the highest funded project among the 19 to be completed before the year ends.
This is followed by the P693-million construction of wharf and port operational area with continuous RoRo ramp at the Port of Catagbacan in Bohol.
Also set to be completed is the country’s first dedicated cruise ship terminal at Jubang Port in Surigao del Norte that costs P620 million.
“We remain optimistic that we are continuously evolving to be at par with countries observing the highest level of port standards around the world. We already made it to one of the strongest ports in Southeast Asia as of 2023. Here in PPA, we continue to participate in economic globalization by advancing infrastructure development through building high-quality ports,” said Santiago.
PPA’s net income grew by 23 percent in the first half of 2023 to P6.9 billion compared to P5 billion in the same period in 2022.
A record of more or less a 12 percent increase in budget utilization every year has been a trend for PPA since 2016. PPA said its highest budget utilization rate is 83 percent that was recorded last year.
