High school student Saifilah Abdulbari Watamama is excited about the newly constructed port in Marawi, which will surely make life easier for them by improving access to goods that were previously difficult to obtain.
Seventeen-year-old Watamama, a student of RPMD National Science High School, joined fellow Marawi City residents in thanking President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for spearheading the completion of the new PhP261-million Port of Marawi, which is set to begin operations soon.
“Napakalaking benepisyo po talaga ng port na ito kasi noong hindi pa nangyayari ang siege, may port po ang Marawi pero hindi ganitong area na may masisilungan ang mga tao, na magiging comfortable ‘yung tao,” Watamama said.
“Pangalawa po, noong before the siege pag kumukuha kami ng resources tulad ng mga paninda mahirap kasi me sari-sari store po kami. Pero ngayon salamat kasi nandito ‘yung port. Mapapadali ‘yung transportation papuntang malalayong lugar para kumuha ng resources,” he added.
Watamama recalled the difficulty of accessing basic goods without the port.
On Monday, President Marcos flew to Marawi City to inspect the port and announced plans to construct additional ports along Lake Lanao to enhance connectivity among the 18 municipalities surrounding the lake.
Watamama said he has relatives living across the lake, and with the port’s construction, it would be much easier and faster for them to travel to Marawi City.
“Salamat po talaga kay Pangulong Marcos sa pag-construct ng port na ito na magpapadali sa pag-travel ng mga tao sa Marawi,” Watamama said.
Marawi City residents expect the Port of Marawi to facilitate travel within the region and enhance the movement of goods between municipalities, which in turn will stimulate commerce and boost local economies.
Dr. Sadick Mohamad, director of the project management office for the Marawi City rehabilitation, said they are looking at introducing a ferry transport system that will operate on the lake.
“In terms of passengers, it would be nice if there were a ferry boat that would ferry passengers coming from here to the other side of the lake because there are employees and students who are from neighboring municipalities studying here in Marawi City,” Mohamad said.
The local government is now inviting businesses to invest in the ferry transport system, which Mohamad said could be similar to the boats ferrying passengers from Zamboanga City to Basilan.
Mohamad said that once developed, they are also looking at further boosting the fishing industry in the area so that local producers can sell their produce elsewhere, not just for local consumption.
Mohamad also sees the lake’s potential for growing cultured fish.
“That’s why the government is requesting the MSU (Mindanao State University) to help in the agro-fishery development,” Mohamad said. | PND
