By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized the importance of having a “standard design” for port terminals across the country to ensure more comfortable travel experience for passengers as well as efficient services for port workers.
The President remarked during a visit to the new Port Operations Building (POB) of Banago Port in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental on Friday, along with Department of Transportation (DOTr) Sec. Giovanni Lopez and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago.
“This is now going to be the standard design for our terminals, for our ports around the country,” Marcos said.
“And the reason it’s important to have a standard design—so that ang tao, ang pasahero, kahit saan sumasakay, saan bumababa, alam nila kung saan bibili ng ticket, saan maghihintay, saan papasok, saan sila dadaan, all of that.”
The upgraded passenger terminal on the first floor of the POB can now accommodate up to 500 passengers daily from the previous capacity of only 50.
Additional improvements in Banago Port include widening the causeway to improve road access, enhancing vehicular flow, and installing a covered walkway to protect passengers from inclement weather.
“Kaya malaking bagay at saka nakita naman ninyo, iba na talaga pagka maayos at maaliwalas to make the traveling experience para sa ating mga kababayan a little more pleasant,” the President said.
According to the PPA, the Banago Port plays a crucial role in passenger travel; roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) traffic; the transport of key agricultural commodities; and tourism access to nearby destinations.
With its upgraded facilities, the PPA said that Banago Port is expected to boost economic activity across Negros Occidental.
“The inauguration of the Banago Port Operations Building is more than an infrastructure milestone—it is a commitment to world-class service, improved efficiency, and sustainable growth for the people of Negros and the wider Visayas region,” Santiago said in a press release.
-jpv
