By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday highlighted the importance of upgrading the Balingoan Port in the growth of Northern Mindanao, noting that the port expansion project is expected to boost the economic and tourism activities in the region.
“Sa pagsasaayos natin sa pasilidad na ito, asahan natin na lalakas ang turismo, bubuhos ang negosyo, lalago ang ekonomiya, at higit sa lahat, mas gaganda ang kabuhayan ng mga taga-Misamis Oriental,” the President said during the inauguration of the Port Operations Building in Balingoan, Misamis Oriental.
From the old terminal’s 150-passenger capacity, the expanded Balingoan Port can now accommodate up to 500 seated passengers and also features modern lounge areas, gender-inclusive restrooms, childcare and play areas, food concession spaces, ticketing counters, and prayer rooms.
The port’s backup area was also widened to support up to six roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels as well as to provide additional space for cargo handling, storage, and logistical operations.
“Magbibigay daan ito sa mas mabilis at madaling daloy ng mga produkto at mga tao na siya naman ang magbibigay daan sa pag-unlad ng kalakalan at turismo sa inyong probinsya, at ang mga karatig na lugar, at sa buong region,” Marcos emphasized.
Modernizing seaports across the archipelago
The Chief Executive, likewise, reiterated the administration’s commitment to modernizing various seaports in the country under the Build Better More infrastructure program.
Among the completed and ongoing port projects across the archipelago are the expanded Passenger Terminal Building in the Port of Batangas, Currimao Port Expansion and Restoration Project in Ilocos Norte, New Cebu International Container Port, Ormoc Port Expansion in Leyte, and the Plaridel Port Expansion and Improvement Project in Misamis Occidental.
“Ang lahat ng ito ay naglalayong mapaunlad ang ating mga pantalan at mapabuti ang karanasan ng bawat Pilipino,” Marcos said.
“Higit sa pagiging daanan tungo sa mga sentro ng kalakalan, negosyo, at turismo, ang mga pantalan ay isa ring mahalagang tulay tungo sa kaunlaran ng ating bansa,” he added.
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