12 JULY 2023, MANILA — The Philippine Ports recently received the country’s highest ranking in the World Bank (WB) Logistics Performance Index (LPI) since 2007, jumping to the 43rd spot from the 60th place in the latest 2023 WB LPI report. PPA also generated a whopping Php 20.4B in revenues in 2022--- the highest collected so far since the inception of the agency 48 years ago. To continue the momentum, PPA not only posted all-time highs in terms of revenues, cargo volume, dividend remittance, passenger, and ship calls, but also in terms of developmental projects brought about by the authority's sound fiscal management and the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions.
As the country rises from the reeling effects of the pandemic, more first-rate infrastructure projects are getting back on track, starting off with thirty (30) new infrastructure projects that will greatly help in ease of doing business, travel, and connectivity in the next years. The initial "Build, Build, Build" program of the past administration translated into bringing more convenience and comfort to the lives of the Filipino peoples as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's "Build, Build More" program is now set in motion.
A preview of PPA’s 30 new seaport projects:
The port of Abra de Ilog serves as the primary northern gateway of the province of Occidental Mindoro to/from the mainland Luzon. This is where most of the agricultural goods from Occidental Mindoro are transported to other areas. Notwithstanding this, Abra De Ilog’s improvement had been neglected for many years. With 1,071,309 passengers in 2019, passenger traffic showed an erratic but consistently an increasing trend with an average annual growth rate of 10.36%. Based on the economic growth rate of 3.29% for cargo traffic, and average annual growth rate of 13.99% for rolling cargo traffic and 10.36% for passenger traffic, the port is expected to handle 5,831 M.T. of cargoes, 307,999 rolling cargoes, 1,753,772 passengers and 8,212 vessels by 2024.
In view of the increasing port traffic, construction of port operational area appears necessary to complement the port operations by providing ample area for general cargo storage, and marshalling, queuing and parking of rolling cargoes.
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Based on the annual average cargo volume of Port of Nasugbu at more than 20,000 M.T. handled at the port with an estimated 3.25% growth rate per year, the cargo traffic is expected to reach at 31,135 M.T. by 2024. On the other hand, the passenger traffic, with an estimated growth rate of 2.50% from 2022 to 2024, is assumed at 62,135 in 2024.
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The existing breakwater constructed at the port of Nasugbu is already in disrepair and has not been able to properly address the protection of the port of Nasugbu resulting in constant damage needing regular repairs. The previous breakwater was constructed purposely to serve as protection/barrier of the inlet being used by local fishermen in the pursuit of their daily activities and as shelter during inclement weather.
With this new breakwater, it will now properly address the required tidal protection of the port. The proposed additional breakwater aims to protect the existing facilities at the Port of Nasugbu against the adverse effects of “Habagat” and will provide safety and efficiency during port operations year-round.
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The port of Isabela is the main gateway port of PPA towards Basilan and Sulu provinces. Once rehabilitated, this will pave the way for the improved commerce and tourism in the area.
Improvement of the existing Reinforce Concrete (RC) Wharf includes the demolish and dispose of the existing RC Wharf (1,549 sqm) and the construction of the roro ramp and RC platform. As of March 2023, this project is 91.48% complete, the delays were caused by the negative weather condition and the restoration works on the damaged structures brought by super typhoon Odette including clearing of the entire construction area and the delivery of the materials.
The expansion at the Port of Isabela, Basilan was constructed to accommodate additional RoRo vessels calling at the port. In effect, enhancing passenger arrivals together with commerce and trade in the area.
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The port of Calapan is the main port serving Oriental Mindoro. It can accommodate fastcraft, coventional and RoRo vessels. In the past 10 years, the volume of passenger traffic handled at the port was observed to be increasing gradually. By year 2023, the cargo traffic is projected at 71, 164 M.T., vessel and passenger traffic are estimated at 5, 867, 081.
Hence, the Rehabilitation/Expansion of the Existing Passenger Terminal Buildings 1 and 2 is deemed necessary to maximize the capacity and usage of the PTB as well as to provide convenience to the passengers.
The Passenger Terminal Building is now open to the public after its inauguration on March 27th this year and is now being used as the largest PTB in the country. Dilemmas experienced last year by the passengers including not being to fit inside the terminal, and the lack of available space for them, are now gone and have been addressed by this new terminal No complaints from the passengers this Holy week season and all but praises from the public.
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Ozamiz Port is one of PPA’s base ports and plays a major role in the economic system of the province of Misamis Occidental. From 2012- 2016, the average growth rate of Ozamiz Port is at 6.38% and is expected to rise in the next years.
In view of the increasing conventional vessels, there is a need for the provision of additional berthing facility. Based on estimates, the existing container yard is no longer sufficient to handle the expected increase in container traffic, hence and to complement the proposed berthing facility, provision for additional back-up area appears necessary.
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Other projects in the top 10 include the extension of Wharf and reclamation of back-up area in Port of Iligan, Lanao del Norte, Construction of back up area and port of Coron Palawan, expansion of back up area with roro ramp in the port of Lipata Surigao del Norte, and construction of Port Operational area in port of Calapan Oriental Mindoro.
BUILDING ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
Through the agency’s continuous effort in connecting people from and to sea parted places, it has now developed projects that esteems to further the growth of trade and tourism. Amongst the many seaport projects is the P152,602,461.11 worth of Construction of Port Operation Area, Port of Currimao, Ilocos Norte that is expected to administer to 56,597 foreign/cruise passengers along with 82,492 MT of cargoes and 61 rolling cargoes for essential goods movement across the regions. Currently, it has a completion rate of 87.441% and is expected to serve as a new port call in the Philippines and an additional asset to the cruise industry.
The Construction of Passenger Terminal Building, Port of Ubay, Bohol is also at 91.481% completion rate, as Bohol’s principal gateway to the provinces of Leyte and Samar connected to Matnog, Sorsogon giving access to Manila and an access to Mindanao through Southern Leyte.
Meanwhile, the Capinpin Port Expansion project in Bataan is at 99.78% completion rate and is expected to divert traffic from Manila to accommodate the Bataan Export Processing Zone, is at its 99.78% completion rate. Building access also means the Construction of Port Operational Area, Port of Calatagan, Batangas now at its 97.278% completion rate. The project will serve as an expanded RoRo berthing and stair landing facility.
PPA is indeed maximizing the infrastructure boom upon the completion of Ambulong Port Expansion Project to support RoRo operations, side by side with the Extension of RC Wharf from Port of Culasi, and the Construction of Continuous RoRo Ramp of Port of Cagayan de Oro.
BETTER CONNECTIVITY, PROVIDING CONVENIENT AND EFFICIENT SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC
PPA has been serving the people to provide better services by connecting great solutions to the problems and needs of the people. The citizen’s charter of the agency is to provide modern, sustainable, and resilient port infrastructures and facilities.
Port of Mauban and Port of Cagayan de Oro Gate Complex
To add to the long list of projects, the Construction of Back-Up Area and Transit Shed project at the Port of Lucena, Quezon is now at its 99.189% completion rate and is progressing ahead by 10.349%. The one storey- Transit Shed with an area of 2, 230 sq.m. will serve as a temporary storage for valuable/perishable goods or goods. In line with this, Calapan Port’s Construction of Port Operational Area is already at 85.599% completion rate, which will supply the space demand of its users.
The port with the second largest Passenger Terminal Building, Port of Cagayan de Oro has two projects close to completion. The Gate Complex at the Port of Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, which foresees to decongest road traffic in the port area and the Rehabilitation/ Upgrading of Power Substation that is expected to provide better and efficient electricity supply to the newly built Passenger Terminal Building and Back-Up Area.
Mauban Port also received an upgrade, the Construction of Mauban Port Back-Up Area and Port Operations Building which will be a one-stop-shop for all port users, a workplace for PPA personnel and convenient space for passengers waiting for their ships and vessels.
Same goes with Masbate’s Port of Esperanza Construction of Back-Up Area and Port Lighting System now with LED floodlight fixtures installed. Esperanza Port has direct links to other ports such as Port of Maya in Daanbantayan, Cebu and to the province of Ormoc through the ports of Kawayan, Naval and San Isidro. In addition, the port is an identified link in the Central Nautical Highway Program of the National Government.
Another done project that dealt with the same priority space is the Matnog Port Expansion and Upgrading Project that amounted to P323,627,472.75. While the Port of Coron Construction of Back- Up Area and Port has been completed and is now serving 500 passengers on a normal day to day basis, from its former capacity of 250 passengers only. With modern facilities of a breastfeeding room, charging stations, prayer room and all gender restrooms for the various needs of the people. This was built to cater the influx of tourists.
When it comes to additional spaces for increased volume of RoRo vessels, Port of Virac has conducted and completed its R.C Pier Extension and Provision of RoRo Ramp and RC Pier Extension at the Port of San Jose, will serve the assumed 263,101 MT of cargoes, 42,920 passengers and 467 vessels by the end of the year. While the Extension of RC Wharf, Port Guiuan, Eastern Samar project has been completed as of August 15, 2022.
Earlier this year, the Rehabilitation /Upgrading of Existing Back-Up Area and the Construction of the Passenger Operations Building (POB) at Port of Maguino-o, Calbayog, Samar has been completed on March 31, 2023. The Back-Up Area is now surrounded with new security fences and the newly built POB is now fully operational and can accommodate 400 passengers. The project is now providing better services to Calbayog City and neighboring municipalities of Samar and Northern Samar.
MORE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF NEW PORTS
To continue the legacy of quality infrastructure port projects, the Philippine Ports Authority has more to offer the public with honor and pride.
To boost and help the tourism in Mindanao, ongoing is the construction of Doña Helene Port that is with a completion rate of 79.864%. The port is an asset with linkages to Poblacion, Socorro and Hayanggabon, Claver. The construction of the RC platform and RoRo ramp will accommodate incoming vessels in the future with its breasting dolphin, an infrastructure instrument used to protect a boat from hitting the pier or dock. The port lighting system will also have a 100-watt LED single angle bar floodlight steel post fixture.
Cobo Port Development Project is a completed project, and will soon be open to the public, this will enhance the flow of goods by providing an extra arm to the Port of Tabaco. Boosting the trade, commerce, and tourism in the area.
Lastly, the completed Upgrade and Expansion of Port of Lawigan, Bislig, Surigao del Sur will cater to the larger vessels and provide efficient port operations.
MARITIME INDUSTRY, A TOP PRIORITY
Following the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to make the maritime industry great again, the PPA prioritized both the continuation of the ongoing projects and the improvement of the state-run ports.
"Given that the Philippines is a maritime nation, I believe that it is time for us to make the maritime industry once again a top priority," said PBBM during the Maritime Forum.
Out of the 30 seaport infrastructure projects, 11 infrastructure projects were completed in 2022, 6 projects were completed earlier this 2023, and 13 projects are ongoing this year.
"It has been business as usual since we got back, we continue to veer away from the grip of the pandemic by contributing to the economy and increasing our revenues by 16%, more than the Php 17.5B in year 2021 and Php 16.6B in year 2020. We believe this is a good sign and a great shift in gears during this rebound of the economy", said GM Santiago.
Santiago said these increasing figures are proof of PPA's efficient management of expenses and streamlined delivery of services to port users and stakeholders. "In the past 10 years, the next highest total revenue of PPA was recorded during the pre-pandemic year 2019 amounting to P18.3B which is 5% higher than the income reached in 2018, so my point is, we can always surpass the initial target because we have set our own high value goals" added Santiago.
PPA 2022 reports highlighted performance with a 7.15% (527, 131 TEUs) increase of containers handled at ports nationwide that caused a 5.01% (143, 880 TEUs) improvement in the volume of domestic cargoes. Same as with foreign containers that had an 8.51% (383, 251 TEUs) increase for the said year.
SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE
Despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic, PPA is determined to rise and to provide seamless connectivity between and among islands. For the first-year term of President Marcos, PPA was able to complete 30 seaport infrastructure projects encompassing the country’s three major islands wherein 17 projects were in Luzon, 4 projects in the Visayas, and 9 projects in Mindanao.
“We will not boast about what we have completed but the services will speak for themselves, the number of projects we have accomplished is nothing compared to the effect of these PPA project and initiatives to the lives of the Filipino people, how we made their lives convenient and comfortable”, said PPA GM Jay Santiago.
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