Making Filipino life comfortable: Bohol to serve as catalyst for economic recovery, growth with development of 7 ports

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

For the first time in the country’s maritime sector history, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, along with Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Santiago, simultaneously inaugurated today, 29 October 2021, the seven port development projects in Bohol, which will establish the island province as a catalyst for economic recovery and growth, while fulfilling mobility demands amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The DOTr and PPA completed the expansion, rehabilitation, and modernization projects of the seven Bohol ports, namely: Maribojoc, Tagbilaran, Jagna, Ubay, Tapal, Loon, and Talibon to prepare the province to handle future mobility and connectivity demands not only in the Visayas region but also to the rest of Mindanao and mainland Luzon.

President Duterte commended the DOTr, under Secretary Tugade and the PPA “for successfully completing the projects that mark another milestone under our Build, Build, Build program.”

“The constructions and repairs done in these ports will allow Bohol to accommodate more people and goods from neighboring provinces and contribute much to the province’s recovery from the pandemic. I am also confident that these ports will strengthen the capacity of Bohol as a catalyst of economic growth in Central Visayas,” President Duterte said.

"All these developments support this administration’s vision to provide our people with improved mobility as well as other comfortable, productive, and dignified life for every Filipino,” the President added.

Secretary Tugade said the the DOTr and PPA took the President’s order to heart.

“Itong okasyon na ito ay nagpapaalala sa atin, nung kami'y nag-assume ng responsibilidad, ang sabi ng Pangulo sa amin, 'Art, make the Filipino life convenient and comfortable.',” Secretary Tugade said.

“Hindi mangyayari ang seremonya na ito kung wala tayong isang liderato na nagbigay ng suporta, inspirasyon, courage and endurance for us to be able to do this project,” Secretary Tugade added.

For his part, Bohol Governor Arthur Yap recognized the support of President Duterte to the province in terms of the development of airports and ports. He likewise thanked Secretary Tugade and General Manager Santiago for ensuring that the projects were properly implemented.

“Mayor, few presidents in the annals of our history can claim the distinction of supporting Bohol in the way that you have…We actually know that what you have given us are not just infrastructure projects. You have, in fact, handed to us a brighter and more promising tomorrow for all Boloanons,” Governor Yap said.

The Bohol port projects form part of the 472 commercial and social-tourism port projects completed by the DOTr and PPA, under the Build, Build, Build program, since the Duterte administration took over in 2016.

“Kayo po ang kadahilanan Mr. President, at sa paggiya ni Sec. Art Tugade kaya nagagawa ng PPA ang ganitong klaseng mga proyekto. Ito po ang aming ambag sa Build, Build, Build program at ito po ay bahagi ng Duterte Legacy,” GM Santiago said.

With restrictions easing up, the DOTr and PPA target to complete additional projects in Tagbilaran, Loon, Getafe, and Jagna Ports by the middle of next year before the end of the term of President Duterte.