DOTr to finish P2.3 B projects 

before Duterte’s term ends

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, April 14 (PIA) – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has coursed through the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) some P 2.3 billion in four projects seen to improve mobility and connectivity of Bohol to other parts of the country.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, who personally flew in to officiate the second Passenger Terminal Building (PTB II) of the Port of Tagbilaran, announced the good news and promised to get these projects going until its substantial completion by the end of the term of the president.

“Regalo ni Presidente ito,” Tugade blared, “to show to the Filipinos and the Boholanos his love.”

Sec Tugade, who has also been credited for the completion and the operationalization of the Panglao Bohol International Airport, arrived in Bohol with PPA General manager Jay Daniel Santiago.

“As I speak today, we have finalized four major projects that would cost P2.3 billion,” he announced, to the resounding applause of local officials gathered at the new facility.

The projects, according to the Transportation secretary includes the P546 million construction of the cargo portion of the Port of Tagbilaran, the construction of back-up and roll-on roll-off (RORO) ramps of the Port of Jagna, the P560 million construction of a back-up area and RORO ramps, and the wharf back-up area and completion of the RORO ramps of the Catagbacan Port.

The four projects that would have substantial completion by 2022 are part of the multi-billion completed and ongoing projects in Bohol.

The DOTr and PPA have completed 15 seaport development projects in different parts of Bohol: Tagbilaran, Jagna, Tapal Wharf (Ubay), Ubay, Catagbacan (Loon), Tubigon, Talibon, Inabanga, Baclayon, and Aguinning (Carlos P. Garcia).

Meanwhile, The DOTr and the PPA are still implementing 6 more seaport projects that are ongoing in Maribojoc, Getafe, Buenavista and Bien Unido.

For Bohol’s commercial ports, the DOTr and PPA is developing the Port of Maribojoc and converting it into a container port. To date, the port improvement project is at 95.095% as of March 2021.

The Port of Getafe project includes the construction of back-up area which is now at 42.550% completed as of March 2021.

For the Port of Tagbilaran, PPA is implementing the construction of additional fastcraft berth which is now at 90.614% as of March 2021. This is set to be completed in May 2021.

For the Port of Tubigon, projects include the construction of back-up area with continuous RORO Ramp and is now 42.55 as of March 2021. The project is set to be finished in July 2022.

As to Bohol’s social tourism ports, up on the list is Barangay Asinan Port in Buenavista which include the repair of damaged causeway and construction of passenger shed Status now at 46% with completion set in March 2021.

In Bien Unido, the port of Bien Unido project includes the construction of causeway which is now at 8.43% and is set for completion by February 2021.

“This month, I will finish Maribojoc Port, r at least have it operational by May and latest in June,” he said.

On this he urged Boholanos to take care of these vital infrastructure that would connect Bohol to its neigboring islands.

“Take care and use the gifts properly so many could still use this for a long time, he urged. (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol)

DIVERSIFYING INTO ANOTHER RELIABLE INDUSTRY. With Bohol’s services sector badly affected by the coronavirus disease, Bohol Gov Arthur Yap asks the DOTR to help Bohol in a paradigm shift to other equally reliable sector that can help Bohol attain better economic resilience. DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said Bohol can work on its logistics, packaging and industries, thus the support for connectivity and mobility in newly developed ports come. With Sec Tugade are PPA general manager Jay Daniel Santiago, Gov Art Yap, House Transport Committee Chair Edgar Sarmiento of Samar and Tagbilaran Port Manager Engr. James Gantalao. (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol)

WALKING THE TALK. Literally, DOTr secretary Arthur Tugade leads local officials in inspecting the almost completed container Port of Maribojoc. The Municipal Port which sits in front of Tagbilaran City in the bay, would be opened to offload containerized cargoes to decongest and make Tagbilaran Tourism port safer and wider. (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol)