PPA targets 19 seaports for completion by year-end

• The Philippine Ports Authority targets completion of 19 seaport projects before yearend

• These include 11 seaports in Luzon, four in the Visayas, and four in Mindanao

• Among the projects are the P902-million Sasa port general cargo berth expansion, P693-million Catagbacan wharf and operational area with RoRo ramp, P620-million Jubang Port cruise hub

• PPA has calendared 47 new port infrastructure projects for 2023

• The port regulator posted 23.18% year-on-year net income growth to P6.9 billion in H1 2023

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) aims to complete 19 seaports before the end of 2023.

These are on top of the 30 seaport projects already completed in the first year of the new administration, the port operator said in a statement.

The 19 seaports include 11 projects in Luzon, four in the Visayas, and four in Mindanao that range from the construction and rehabilitation of back-up areas, breakwaters, roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) ramps, and reinforced concrete piers.

These projects involve upgrading the general cargo berth at Sasa port in Davao City for P902 million; the P693-million construction of a wharf and operational area with a continuous RoRo ramp at Catagbacan port in Bohol; and construction of the country’s first dedicated cruise ship terminal at Jubang Port in Surigao del Norte costing P620 million.

Also for completion this year are the rehabilitation of Claveria port in Cagayan; construction of the PPA-Philippine Coast Guard K9 Academy; Puerto Galera port expansion project; and Balingoan port expansion project in Misamis Oriental.

PPA is also set to award and begin 47 new port infrastructure projects for 2023.

“We remain optimistic that we are continuously evolving to be at par with countries observing the highest level of port standards around the world, we already made it as one of the strongest ports in Southeast Asia as of 2023. Here in PPA, we continue to participate in economic globalization by advancing infrastructure development through building high-quality ports,” PPA general manager Jay Daniel Santiago said in a statement.

PPA first-half income up 23.18%

PPA recorded a 23.18% rise in net income to P6.9 billion in the first half of 2023, from P5 billion in the same period last year.

The port watchdog noted it set a record of around 12% increase in budget utilization every year since 2016, of which the highest rate was 83% last year.

PPA also recorded a 3.23% year-on-year decrease in total expenditure, saving P142.52 million, in the first half of the year.