Major infrastructure projects, seen to boost mobility and inclusive growth in shipping, fishing and tourism sectors, were simultaneously inaugurated by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Thursday.
Speaking during the simultaneous inauguration of the Zamboanga Port Expansion Project and the 143 other completed social and tourism ports across the country, President Duterte said the completion of the projects would boost inclusive growth in the country’s various industries.
“These are indeed milestones under the government’s Build, Build, Build Program,” he said during the inauguration rites held in Zamboanga City. “The completion of these projects will boost inclusive growth for various industries in our provinces, especially for the shipping, fishing and tourism sectors.”
“Also, with more employment to be generated for various localities, we can now look forward to a stronger economy and improved lives for our people under the new normal.”
He acknowledged the efforts of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) in leading the construction, rehabilitation and expansion of the country’s ports, which will improve people’s connectivity and mobility.
Prior to the inauguration ceremony, the President led the inspection of the Zamboanga International Airport Development Project, thanking the DOTr, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and other public and private partners, for improving the Zamboanga Airport.
“I am excited to see a revitalized socio-economic activity that this newly enhanced project will support, not only for Zamboanga, but also for the rest of Mindanao,” he said.
With only few months before stepping down from power, President Duterte emphasized that even with all the difficulties posed by the pandemic, his administration will continue implementing vital infrastructure projects to improve the lives of the Filipinos.
“We remain committed in pursuing sustainable development projects that will benefit all our kababayans even beyond 2022,” he added.
With the P315.9-million Zamboanga Seaport Development Project, the port’s capacity doubled compared to its previous capacity few years ago.
The PPA also announced the construction of the port’s P487.1-million passenger terminal building (PTB), which will be completed in two years.
Once completed, the Zamboanga port’s PTB can handle 4,500 passengers at any time, making it the biggest PTB in the country.
The government expects to open new opportunities in the coastal fishing communities and tourism areas with the inauguration of 143 social-tourism port projects nationwide.
The 143 seaport projects involve the construction of new and modernized social and tourism ports as well as the rehabilitation and expansion of existing ports to provide better accessibility to fishers, tourists, and coastal communities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
DOTr’s Maritime Sector has completed 52 port projects in Luzon, 64 port projects in Visayas, and 27 port projects in Mindanao. The projects generated 4,000 jobs, and assisted over 8,000 fisherfolks throughout the country.
The 143 social and tourism port projects form part the 484 projects completed by DOTr and PPA nationwide over the past five years. PND
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