President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to expand the port systems, particularly the agricultural ports, to lessen the cost of goods and transport services.
“Just today, the President wants to expand port systems, especially our agricultural ports, because one reason why the price of food is so high is connectivity, which is because of transport costs. So, ‘yun pinagkabilin-bilinan niya sa akin ‘yun kanina lang na we have to focus on that,” newly-appointed DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said in a Malacañang briefing on Friday.
Port expansion is one of the government’s priority programs under the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028, which aims to enhance connectivity across regions in the country and improve the economic trade and transaction system.
Dizon assured close coordination with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), the Department of Agriculture (DA), and other concerned agencies to ensure the establishment of agricultural ports all over the country.
Dizon also mentioned the President’s order to develop regional airports to boost tourism. He stressed the private sector’s crucial role in realizing the plans.
“So, I’m going to make sure that our good GM (General Manager) in PPA, GM (General Manager) Jay Santiago, we can work with the Department of Agriculture and the other agencies to make sure we are able to establish these ports all over the country,” he said.
In December last year, the President witnessed the signing of various government infrastructure project agreements, including the construction of the New Cebu International Container Port (NCICP) and the Cebu Bus Transit (CBRT) transportation system.
The expansion project of the Bohol-Panglao International Airport (BPIA) and the construction of new regional airports in Dumaguete and Siargao were also signed.
Once completed, this will make goods more affordable, generate thousands of jobs, and create more opportunities for Filipinos, providing increased space for port activities.
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SMBA) will also expand and modernize its seaport and airport to boost the country’s economic corridor.
Under PDP, the government plans to connect strategic infrastructures like ports to cargo and freight rail infrastructure, prioritizing railway development to accommodate long-distance deliveries efficiently. | PND
