PHL’s Biggest Port PTB Opens in Cagayan de Oro

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The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) inaugurated the country’s biggest port Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) at the Port of Cagayan de Oro, 15 July 2019.

Located within the Passenger Terminal Complex of the Port of Cagayan de Oro, the new PTB is a massive two-storey building with a total floor area of 5,597 square meters.

The new terminal has a capacity of 3,000 passengers, triple its previous capacity.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, together with PPA General Manager Jay Santiago and PPA Port Manager for Misamis Oriental/Cagayan de Oro, Isidro Butaslac Jr., led the inauguration of the new PTB.

“I have inaugurated many terminals during our term, and the truth is, this is the biggest passenger terminal building in the Republic of the Philippines. Ito ‘hong proyektong ito ay magbibigay tibay sa kagustuhan ng ating Pangulo na magkaroon ng mobility and connectivity sa Visayas at Mindanao. With this terminal, you will have a convergence of people for mobility that will lead to economic growth,” Secretary Tugade said.

The transportation chief also congratulated PPA GM Santiago and the whole of PPA for their efforts in completing the port project that will strengthen the Port of Cagayan de Oro as the “Global Gateway to Mindanao.”

“I thank PPA GM Santiago and the men and women of PPA for they have done a very good job. Napakarami nang natapos na port projects all over the country, kasama ang Cagayan de Oro. Ganyan kalakas at kaigting ang trabaho ng PPA at ni GM Santiago,” Secretary Tugade expressed.

For his part, GM Santiago cited the country’s biggest port PTB as a symbol of the agency’s 45 years of maritime service to the Filipino people.

“We are thankful that as the PPA welcomed its 45th founding anniversary, we have this huge PTB to stand as the emblem of our service and dedication. We believe in the role of seaports in developing our regions and boosting local economies. We hope that this new PTB will contribute to the socio-economic growth, not just of CDO, but of the entire Northern Mindanao region,” GM Santiago said.

The PTB features brand new facilities that will enhance the safety and security of the sea-traveling public. Services include security checkpoints with x-ray scanners for baggage, body scanners, CCTVs, passenger boarding stations, collector’s booth, public assistance desk, designated green areas, storage room, and offices for passenger-related agencies such as quarantine, tourist police, and the Coast Guard.

For the comfort and convenience of the public, amenities include a play area for children, child care station, ecumenical prayer rooms, drinking fountains, toilet facilities, urgent medical care room, food stalls, pasalubong centers, and a special boarding lane for senior citizens, PWDs, pregnant women, and women traveling with children below two (2) years old.

Adhering to the “Malasakit Initiative” of the DOTr, the PPA also announced that today marks the start of terminal fee exemption for students in all PPA-owned and operated ports nationwide. Senior citizens, PWDs, and active personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) are also exempted from paying terminal fees.

Other officials present during the inauguration were Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Emano, former Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Representative Maximo Rodriguez, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno, DOTr Undersecretary for Finance Garry De Guzman, Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Manuel Antonio Tamayo, Undersecretary for Maritime Fernando Juan Perez, Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark de Leon, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Martin Delgra III, LTFRB Board Member Antonio Gardiola Jr., and other local government officials.

Aside from the PTB, the Port of Cagayan de Oro’s new electronic gate complex and the Opol Port in Misamis Oriental were also inaugurated earlier.

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