DAVAO CITY — An impressive and more spacious Cantilan Port will greet passengers and shippers in Surigao del Sur after the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) have completed the port’s development projects that will not only benefit travelers but also traders and businesses.
During the virtual inauguration of the completed Cantilan Port development projects on Thursday, 05 August 2021, DOTr Secretary Art Tugade cited the important role played by improved transport facilities such as the Cantilan Port as they address connectivity and mobility needs, while ensuring the promotion of equitable and inclusive growth in the areas of employment, trade, and investments.
The development projects at the Cantilan Port cover the construction of its Reinforced Concrete (RC) Pier, back-up area, and a port lighting system.
“Maraming benepisyo ‘yan. Mayroong employment potentials. Nagkakaroon ka rin ng convenient mobility. Napalawak ‘yung puerto, mga kargamentong pisikal, ‘yung mga semento at kargamento mas madali at mas malawak ang kilos mo diyan. In other words, makakadagdag sa negosyo mo ‘yan. Kung mayroon kang pasilidad na ganito at magiging mas malawak ang objectives mo, magkakaroon ka rin ng connectivity,” Sec. Tugade explained during the virtual inauguration.
“Yung pagbiyahe from one point to another mas OK. Kung pinaguusapan ang connectivity, ‘yun po ang hangarin natin kaya binabago natin at naglalagay tayo ng continuing improvements upang sa ganun yung objective na mobility and connectivity ay mapalawak,” he added.
With the development projects completed, the improved and expanded Cantilan Port can now handle at least 25,000 to 30,000 bags of cement shipments a month and carry twice the current cargo volume, according to Sec. Tugade.
“Nadoble ang kapasidad ng Cantilan Port, na kung saan pati yung mga kapitbahay na lugar kagaya ng Carascal, Madrid, Carmen at Lanuza ay nakikinabang na rin,” Sec. Tugade explained.
As a result of the development projects, passengers at the Cantilan Port will no longer have to suffer also the poorly-maintained facilities and inconvenient travel experience.
Meanwhile, PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago mentioned that the agency has a lot in store for the Caraga Region as they eye to complete ongoing projects in other ports, such as Masao, Nasipit, Lipata, as well as the Jubang Cruise Terminal and cargo terminal in Siargao, and the Port of Donya Helene also in Siargao.
“Tuluy-tuloy ang pag-improve natin sa mga pasilidad natin dito sa CARAGA Region. Sisikapin po natin na bago matapos ang termino ng ating Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte ay marami po tayong nakumpletong proyekto for the convenience and comfort of our fellow Filipinos,” GM Santiago said.
