200+ seaports to be constructed nationwide

To improve connectivity of remote islands and beef up economic and disaster resilience, an additional 200 seaports worth a total of P12.5 billion are being programmed across the country up to 2028.

Transportation Undersecretary for maritime sector Elmer Sarmiento said these terminals were just small in capacity to accommodate the needs of fishing boats and roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessels.

“We have about  2,000 seaports at present. We call it tourism and farm-to-market ports. We would like to connect these remote islands to bigger island economies for their economic growth,” Sarmiento said.

He identified Turtle Island – a municipality in the province of Tawi-Tawi – as one of the locations of the new seaports to be built nationwide.

Sarmiento said that aside from commercial activities, building ports are crucial for disaster response during typhoons.

The Philippines is susceptible to earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic eruptions being situated in the Pacific Ring of Fire. It is also vulnerable to weather-related phenomena, including typhoons.

Sarmiento said they are hoping to secure financing from the Department of Budget and Management to be able to jumpstart the projects.

He said the DOTr has completed 250 port projects since 2015.

“This continuous port development is also in line with the vision of achieving a strong and reliable Philippine merchant fleet that addresses the sea transport requirements of the archipelago,” he added.

Previously the DOTr also laid out plans for the building and expansion of 14 Ro-Ro ports across the country estimated to cost P100 million each.

These include San Vicente Ro-Ro Port, Maconacon Port, and Palanan Port in Northern Luzon;  Dilasag Port, Baler Port in Easter Luzon; Cadiz Port, Ajuy Port, and San Fernando Port in Central Visayas; Lupon Roro Port and Sta. Ana Roro Port in Mindanao.

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) reported that passenger traffic in sea terminals surged by 24 percent to 73.61 million in 2023 from 59.19 million. However, this is still below the 2019 date of 83.72 million passengers.

Meanwhile, cargo traffic grew by about five percent to 271.97 million metric tons (MT) in 2023 from 259.14 million MT in 2022, surpassing the pre-pandemic volume of 265.88 million MT.