President Marcos inaugurates Benoni Port terminal building, landing station

TOURISTS and passengers going to Camiguin Province will be welcomed with a new Benoni Port’s passenger terminal building (PTB) and Benoni Port Lightcraft Landing Station. 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last week inaugurated the port’s new and modern infrastructure as part of the government’s push to encourage tourist arrivals and boost local businesses in the province.

Marcos, Jr. stressed the importance of Benoni Port to residents, small businesses and the tourists as it serves as a vital hub that links people, goods, and services in Camiguin.

“For an island like Camiguin, the importance of a modern and efficient port cannot be overstated, because this served as a vital link that keeps people, goods, services and therefore opportunities moving that will enable families to return home, return to their businesses to transport their products, and for fishermen to bring their catch to the market and tourists to enjoy this destination,” Marcos, Jr. said.

“Your government, this administration is committed to complimenting these attributes with infrastructure that you need to bring development to your province [Camiguin Province],” he added.

Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez stressed that the Benoni Port Lightcraft Landing Station will ensure that tourists and passengers will be welcomed with first class Filipino hospitality through modern infrastructure and facilities.

“Ang bilin sa atin ng Pangulo, dapat lahat ng ating mga pantalan ay moderno at world-class, kaya nag-iinvest tayo kasama ang Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) sa ating mga ports para mas marami ang access ng ating mga pasahero at turista sa mga tourist areas natin,”  Lopez said.

In February 2026, Lopez inspected the construction progress of the new passenger terminal building (PTB) and the lightcraft landing which will accommodate yachts carrying tourist passengers.

While PPA General Manager Jay Santiago said the Benoni Port Lightcraft Landing Station are expected to address passenger demand to further enhance passenger capacity and open opportunities for businesses and tourism in the province.

“Mas pinadaling proseso sa mga biyahero, negosyante, turista na inyong nakikitang world-class at talagang maipagma-makaki. Dahil dito, inaasahan nating mababawasan ang siksikan, mapapabilis ang biyahe at higit sa lahat mas magiging ligtas at komportable ang ating mga kababayan at mga turista,”  Santiago said.

The Port of Benoni serves as Camiguin’s primary transport link to mainland Mindanao and Bohol, connecting to the Port of Jagna and the Port of Balingoan under the Central Nautical Highway.

With Camiguin province’s projected economic and population growth, passenger traffic is expected to reach 893,071 and vehicle traffic to reach 174,921 by 2030.

The Benoni Port’s Operations Building aims to establish a one-stop-shop facility for all port users, while providing a more efficient and conducive working environment for Terminal Management Office (TMO) personnel, ultimately improving overall port operations and service delivery.

The modern Lightcraft Landing Station on the other hand, features a new berthing facility, trestle, and two-storey landing station building to further strengthen operational capability, boost port capacity, and improve passenger experience in Camiguin.