President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said his government is committed to building and developing infrastructure projects “with a heart for people’s comfort, security, and progress.”
The President made the declaration as he led the launching of the P430.39-million Balingoan Port Expansion project in Balingoan, Misamis Oriental.
“Ito po ang diwa ng aming tinatawag na Build Better More: Gumagawa tayo ng mga imprastrakturang may puso para sa ginhawa, seguridad, at pag-angat ng ating mga kababayan,” President Marcos said.
“Ipagdiwang natin ang araw na ito—isang makabuluhang hakbang pasulong, para sa mas maginhawa, mas maayos, at mas maaasahang biyahe para sa bawat Pilipino,” he said.
The Build Better More (BBM) is the infrastructure program of the Marcos administration, which started in 2022 and will continue until 2028.
The President enumerated other port projects under his administration, citing the expansion of the Passenger Terminal Building in the Port of Batangas, which was completed last year.
The terminal can now handle 8,000 passengers, compared to its previous capacity of 2,500 people.
The Currimao Port Expansion and Restoration Project in Ilocos Norte is also part of the initiative, the President said, noting the project intends to strengthen the port facility to accommodate cruise ships that will boost the province’s tourism sector.
In the Visayas, the President said the government started the construction of the New Cebu International Container Port aimed at enhancing trade in the central Philippines.
He added the implementation of the Ormoc Port Expansion Project in Leyte is also ongoing that could improve the port facility in the Eastern Visayas region.
And aside from the Balingoan Port in Mindanao, the government has been carrying out the Plaridel Port Expansion and Improvement Project in Misamis Occidental, with the goal of strengthening inter-island connectivity in the region.
“Ang lahat ng ito ay naglalayong mapaunlad ang ating mga pantalan at mapabuti ang karanasan ng bawat Pilipino,” the President said. “Higit sa pagiging daanan tungo sa mga sentro ng kalakalan, negosyo, at turismo, ang mga pantalan ay isa ring mahalagang tulay tungo sa kaunlaran ng ating bansa.” | PND
