Dinagat, Surigao Norte ports up for rehab: DOTC allots P93.8M to improve sea ports

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has allotted P93.8 million to improve several ports in the country in anticipation of increased commercial shipping activities. 

In a statement posted on its website, Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas said the Aquino administration will rehabilitate and expand the sea ports in Corcuera, Romblon; Sto. Domingo, Bacacay, and Pili—all in Albay; Palid, Zamboanga Sibugay; Melgar, Dinagat Island; and Placer, Surigao Del Norte. 

“These projects are a key component to the commitment of the government to provide convenient, affordable, reliable, efficient, and safe transport. These will also respond to the steady expansion of shipping activities—shipcalls, cargo throughputs, and passenger and container tra­ffic—which made it a necessity to expand and upgrade the country’s port community,” Roxas said. 

The Corcuera Port project in Romblon is the biggest among the DOTC’s port development projects, worth P28.7 million. It aims to improve the regular and special boat trips from Corcuera to Calatrava in Tablas Island as well as to the provincial capital of Romblon; Banton Island, and San Agustin. 

Next is the P28.4-million port project in Placer, Surigao Del Norte. The port serves all sea crafts within the municipality and from the neighboring islands and towns. 

The Bacacay Port project in Albay is also scheduled to be improved to handle the expanding number of shipment of coal products coming from island barangays. The project cost is estimated at P9.6 million. 

The Pili Port job in Albay will amount to P8.7 million so that the docks can be expanded to accommodate not only motorized bancas plying Pili Bay but also handle the expected increase in the fish and other aquaculture production in the area. 

In Sto. Domingo, Albay, its port lies strategically between Legazpi City and Tabaco City. It caters not only to boats of fisher folks, but also pump boats carrying tourists on island-hopping tours in several islets off the shores of Albay. The project will entail a cost of P8.6 million. 

Meanwhile, the Palid Wharf in Zamboanga Sibugay will be improved to the tune of P4.9 million so that it can provide a connection to Buluan Island—a flora and fauna sanctuary that offers breathtaking underwater sceneries populated by untouched corals as well as 21 observed families of fishes, giant clams, and marine turtles. 

The P4.9-million Melgar Wharf project in Dinagat Island aims to make the port as one of the main entry points from Surigao del Norte to Dinagat Island. The wharf will also serve the fishing activities in the area and transport of passenger and goods from/to San Jose, Surigao Port and other nearby barangays. (DOTC/RJB/JCP-PIA NCR)

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