SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT: PHILIPPINE PORTS AUTHORITY 49th YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Build Better more: PPA completes 30 infrastructure projects on President Marcos’ first year in office

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 60th place in the latest 2023 WB lPi report. Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) also generated a whopping P20.4 billion in revenues in 2022 – the highest collection 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, and passenger and ship calls but it also made great strides 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 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 people as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s (PBBM) “Build, Better, More” program is now set in motion.

A preview of PPA’s 30 new seaport projects:

Preview of 30 new infrastructure projects

Abra De Ilog Port Expansion Project: Port of Abra, Occidental Mindoro, project cost P517,888,728.00

The port of Abra de ilog serves as the primary northern gateway of the province of Occidental Mindoro to/from mainland luzon. This is where most of the agricultural goods from Occidental Mindoro are transported to other areas. Despite its importance, Abra De ilog’s improvement has been neglected for many years. With 1,071,309 passengers in 2019, passenger traffic showed an erratic but consistently increasing trend with an average annual growth rate of 10.36%. Based on the economic growth rate of 3.29% for cargo traffic, 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 metric tons 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 the port operational area was necessary to complement port operations by providing ample area for general cargo storage and marshaling, queuing, and parking of rolling cargoes.

Construction of Breakwater: Port of Nasugbu, Barangay Wawa, Batangas, project cost P510,599,301.65

Based on the annual average cargo volume of the Port of nasugbu at more than 20,000 MT handled at the port with an estimated 3.25% growth rate per year, the cargo traffic is expected to reach 31,135 MT by 2024. Passenger traffic, with an estimated growth rate of 2.50% from 2022 to 2024, is expected to hit 62,135 in 2024.

The breakwater at the port of nasugbu is in disrepair and has not been able to properly protect 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.

The new breakwater will now properly address the required tidal protection of the port. A proposed additional breakwater, meantime, aims to protect the existing facilities at the Port of nasugbu against adverse effects of “habagat” (southwest monsoon) and will provide safety and efficiency during port operations year-round.

Isabela Port Improvement Project: Port of Isabela, Isabela City, Basilan, project cost P381,975,984.50

The Port of isabela is the main gateway port of PPA to the Basilan and Sulu provinces. Once rehabilitated, the port will pave the way for improved commerce and tourism in the area.

improvement of the existing Reinforce Concrete (RC) Wharf includes the demolition and disposal of the existing RC Wharf (1,549 square meters) and the construction of the RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) ramp and RC platform. As of March 2023, this project is 91.48% complete. Delays were caused by poor weather conditions and restoration works on damaged structures brought by super typhoon “Odette,” including clearing

of the entire construction area and the delivery of materials.

expansion at the Port of isabela, Basilan aims to accommodate additional RoRo vessels calling at the port. This will ultimately enhance passenger arrivals together with commerce and trade in the area.

Rehabilitation and Expansion of Passenger Terminal Building: Port of Calapan, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro project cost P364,172,464.53

The Port of Calapan is the main port serving Oriental Mindoro. it can accommodate fastcraft, conventional, and RoRo vessels. in the past ten years, the volume of passenger traffic handled at the port increased gradually. By end of 2023, cargo traffic is projected to reach 71,164 MT; and vessel and passenger traffic, 5,867,081.

The rehabilitation/expansion of Passenger Terminal Buildings (PTBs) 1 and 2 is necessary to maximize the capacity and use of the PTB as well as to provide convenience to passengers.

The PTB is now open to the public, having been inaugurated on March 27 this

year. it is now considered the “largest” PTB in the country. Problems experienced last year by passengers, including capacity restraints, have been addressed by the new terminal. The busy holy Week season came and went without complaints from the riding public.

Construction

of

Back-up Area and Wharf

on Fill: Port of Ozamiz, Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental, project cost P327,938,954.63

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 was at 6.38%, and the port is expected to keep growing in the next years. in view of the increasing number of conventional vessels, there is a need for additional berthing facilities. Based on estimates, the existing container yard is no longer sufficient to handle the expected increase in container traffic. To complement the proposed berthing facility, an additional back-up area is necessary.

Other key projects include:

• extension of wharf and reclamation of the back-up area in Port of iligan, Lanao del Norte;

• construction of back-up area in 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 the Port of Calapan Oriental Mindoro. Turn to page 10

Charting the course for supply chain success and economic growth

18 ports of call | 8 ROPAX vessels | 1 Freighter vessel

Shipping Products and Services

Full Container Load (FCL) and Stu ng

Full Container Load using 20ftr or 40 ftr vans to/from Visayas and Mindanao covering 18 ports of call nationwide with multiple frequencies to major ports eg Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro.

FCL Shipside Loading o ers stu ng area to shippers with guaranteed priority loading status.

Dry Temp-controlled Liquids

Less than Container Load (LCL)

Fastest LCL service in the market, leveraging on our own assets and vessels

Domestic LCL Shipside

Domestic LCL Plus

Rolling Cargo

LCL Cold Chain

Ship cars, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), and buses swiftly and e ciently onboard 2GO vessels

Roll On - Roll O (RORO)

RORO trucks on ROPAX fetches shortest transit time given shorter last cut-o time.

Available to all ports from either Manila or Batangas port

Break Bulk

Capable of carrying heavy equipments, out of gauge, break bulk shipments to 18 ports of call subject to review of specs

Passenger Travel

An enhanced cruise-like experience with a variety of accommodation options, fresh, hot meals and onboard entertainment and other amenities

Build Better more: PPA completes 30 infrastructure...

Building access to opportunities and economic growth

Through the agency’s continuous effort in connecting individuals living on islands, the PPA has now developed projects aimed at furthering the growth of trade and tourism. Among the many seaport projects is the P152,602,461.11 worth of Construction of Port Operation Area, at the Port of Currimao, ilocos norte. The project is expected to attract 56,597 foreign/cruise passengers along with 82,492 MT of cargoes and 61 rolling cargoes for essential goods movement across the regions. As of this writing, the project has a completion rate of 87.441%; it is expected to serve as a new port call in the Philippines and an additional asset to the cruise industry.

Ongoing Construction of Port Operation Area: Port of Currimao

The construction of the Passenger Terminal Building at the Port of Ubay, Bohol is also at a 91.481% completion rate. The port is Bohol’s principal gateway to the provinces of leyte and Samar connected to Matnog, Sorsogon, giving access to Manila and access to Mindanao through Southern leyte.

Meanwhile, the Capinpin Port expansion project in Bataan is at a 99.78% completion rate. The project is expected to divert traffic from Manila to accommodate the Bataan export Processing Zone. Building access also means construction of the Port Operational Area, Port of Calatagan, Batangas, now 97.278% complete. 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 the continuous RoRo ramp of the Port of Cagayan de Oro.

Better connectivity provides convenient and efficient services to the public

PPA has been providing better services by connecting practical solutions to problems and needs of the population in keeping with the agency’s citizen’s charter 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 99.189% complete and is progressing ahead nicely. The one-storey transit shed with an area of 2,230 sqm 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 almost done, with an 85.599% completion rate.

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 and Misamis Oriental, which is seen to decongest road traffic in the port area; and the rehabilitation/upgrading of the 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 recently received an upgrade, with the construction of the Mauban Port back-up area and Port Operations Building, which will be a one-stop-shop for all port users, workplace for PPA personnel, and convenient area for passengers waiting for their ride.

The same goes with Masbate’s Port of esperanza construction of a back-up area and port lighting system (LED floodlight fixtures installed). Esperanza Port has direct links to other ports, such as the 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 completed project is the Matnog Port expansion and upgrading project costing P323,627,472.75.

Meanwhile, the Port of Coron’s construction of a back-up area and port has been completed and the facility is now serving double the number of daily passengers to 500. The port has modern facilities including a breastfeeding room, charging stations, prayer room, and all-gender restrooms, all built to cater to the influx of tourists.

When it comes to additional spaces for an increased volume of RoRo vessels, the Port of Virac has conducted and completed its RC Pier extension and provision of RoRo Ramp and RC Pier extension at the Port of San Jose, which will serve the expected 263,101 MT of cargoes, 42,920 passengers and 467 vessels by the end of the year.

The extension of the RC Wharf, Port Guiuan, eastern Samar project was completed on August 15, 2022.

Also completed on March 31, 2023 was the rehabilitation/upgrading of the back-up area and the construction of the Passenger Operations Building at Port of Maguino-o, Calbayog, Samar was. The back-up area is now surrounded by new security fences; the newly built POB is fully operational and can accommodate 400 passengers. The project is providing better services to Calbayog City and the 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 is committed to offering more services to the riding public.

Construction of Doña Helene Port To boost tourism in Mindanao, PPA is constructing the Doña helene Port, now 79.864% complete. 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 larger vessels and provide efficient port operations.

Maritime industry, a top priority

Following the directives of President Marcos 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,” Marcos said during the Maritime Forum.

Out of the 30 seaport infrastructure projects, 11 infrastructure projects were completed in 2022 and six projects in 2023, with 13 projects 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 P17.5B in the year 2021 and P16.6B in the year 2020. We believe this is a good sign and a great shift in gears during this rebound of the economy,” said PPA general manager Santiago.

The PPA chief said the increasing figures are proof of PPA’s efficient management of expenses and streamlined delivery of services to port users and stakeholders: “in the past ten 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.”

Highlights of the PPA 2022 report include a 7.15% (527,131 TEUs) increase in containers handled at ports nationwide. Of the total container throughput, 143, 880 TEUs were accounted for by domestic containers (up 5.01%) and the rest (383, 251 TEUs) by foreign containers, an increase of 8.51%.

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. In the first year of President Marcos Jr.’s administration, PPA was able to complete 30 seaport infrastructure projects encompassing the country’s three major islands: 17 projects were located in luzon, four in the Visayas, and nine 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 Santiago.