The campaign to make Palawan a big tourist destination has prompted the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to improve the ports of the provinces.The idea, according to the PPA, is to make travel to Palawan remarkably cheaper than a plane ride, Malaya Business Insight reports.
The PPA said improving the underutilized ports can bring revenues while promoting tourism.
Adelaida Hernandez, PPA port manager in Palawan, pointed out that cargo business in the province is also growing.
She said the PPA is now prepared to put in place the needed infrastructure, namely, roads that lead to the underutilized ports of Bataraza, Taytay and Rizal.
She said the PPA has a reasonably efficient cargo-handling operator, whose contract was approved in July.
"With the cargo handler, we know that they can help market this port to pick up cargo traffic. The cargoes in this port are mostly scrap materials of sunken vessels," Hernandez said.
In Bataraza, if properly marketed, there will be an influx of products and goods that can be transported to and from Malaysia, which is near the island. People can also transport livestock, copra and other products to Malaysia.
PPA noted that the problem in the port of Taytay is the access road. Hernandez said if the local government does not have enough funds, it should make representations with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to build the roads.
She explained that Montenegro Shipping Line really wanted to call at the port. "Montenegro has already secured a berthing certificate, but the problem there is the access road," she said.
She explained that before the PPA built the port, it signed a memorandum of agreement with the local government providing that the construction of the road leading to the port is the local government’s responsibility.
"We had a MOA. PPA will construct the port and the local government unit must be responsible for access roads. But the LGU failed to deliver on its promise. There remain unpaved roads that have to be completed. The lack of access road makes it difficult for cargo truckers to pass. The problem is there are steep parts of the road that needs to be paved," she said.
She further explained that should this port be properly utilized, it will also bring profit for the local government, since business will be enhanced and it would bring employment opportunities for its people.
"The port has a strong potential since it’s a fish-rich island. In fact, Montenegro plans to have refrigerated cargo. Meantime, this port is being used for only small-scale operations," she said.
Montenegro plans to deploy its passenger and cargo vessels to Palawan, stressing that Palawan is the only province not connected by vessels in the Mimaropa region (Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan).
"Montenegro plans to sail from Boracay to Coron, El Nido, Taytay, and Mindoro Island. Montenegro said Palawan is the only one not connected by vessel to Mimaropa. Aside from Montenegro, another Visayan shipping company wants to call at this port," said Hernandez.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) is encouraging cruise vessels to call at Puerto Princesa.
DOT visited Palawan before the end of October to confirm if the ports are ready to cater to cruise vessels.
The tourism potential of Palawan is getting a big boost from Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn, who has launched a campaign to put the province’s underground river as one of the greatest wonders of the world.
The DOT wants to include Palawan among the four other ports to be included in the stops of cruise ships serving the Asian route. Other ports reportedly include Subic and Zamboanga.
The port of Puerto Princesa is fully utilized. As early as 1894, Puerto Princesa was awarded the cleanest port and until now it’s the most environment friendly port in the country.
The Commission on Audit reported that aside from the ports of Taytay, Bataraza and Rizal, there are unutilized and underutilized ports in Iloilo such as the ports of Sibunag, Guimbal and Concepcion. The government spent a total P264.7 million to develop such sea ports.
Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas said these ports have already been constructed.
"What were going to do is to promote business. We cannot force ships to come, unless there is demand. So we will develop the market," Roxas said.
The PPA said improving the underutilized ports can bring revenues while promoting tourism.
Adelaida Hernandez, PPA port manager in Palawan, pointed out that cargo business in the province is also growing.
She said the PPA is now prepared to put in place the needed infrastructure, namely, roads that lead to the underutilized ports of Bataraza, Taytay and Rizal.
She said the PPA has a reasonably efficient cargo-handling operator, whose contract was approved in July.
"With the cargo handler, we know that they can help market this port to pick up cargo traffic. The cargoes in this port are mostly scrap materials of sunken vessels," Hernandez said.
In Bataraza, if properly marketed, there will be an influx of products and goods that can be transported to and from Malaysia, which is near the island. People can also transport livestock, copra and other products to Malaysia.
PPA noted that the problem in the port of Taytay is the access road. Hernandez said if the local government does not have enough funds, it should make representations with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to build the roads.
She explained that Montenegro Shipping Line really wanted to call at the port. "Montenegro has already secured a berthing certificate, but the problem there is the access road," she said.
She explained that before the PPA built the port, it signed a memorandum of agreement with the local government providing that the construction of the road leading to the port is the local government’s responsibility.
"We had a MOA. PPA will construct the port and the local government unit must be responsible for access roads. But the LGU failed to deliver on its promise. There remain unpaved roads that have to be completed. The lack of access road makes it difficult for cargo truckers to pass. The problem is there are steep parts of the road that needs to be paved," she said.
She further explained that should this port be properly utilized, it will also bring profit for the local government, since business will be enhanced and it would bring employment opportunities for its people.
"The port has a strong potential since it’s a fish-rich island. In fact, Montenegro plans to have refrigerated cargo. Meantime, this port is being used for only small-scale operations," she said.
Montenegro plans to deploy its passenger and cargo vessels to Palawan, stressing that Palawan is the only province not connected by vessels in the Mimaropa region (Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan).
"Montenegro plans to sail from Boracay to Coron, El Nido, Taytay, and Mindoro Island. Montenegro said Palawan is the only one not connected by vessel to Mimaropa. Aside from Montenegro, another Visayan shipping company wants to call at this port," said Hernandez.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) is encouraging cruise vessels to call at Puerto Princesa.
DOT visited Palawan before the end of October to confirm if the ports are ready to cater to cruise vessels.
The tourism potential of Palawan is getting a big boost from Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn, who has launched a campaign to put the province’s underground river as one of the greatest wonders of the world.
The DOT wants to include Palawan among the four other ports to be included in the stops of cruise ships serving the Asian route. Other ports reportedly include Subic and Zamboanga.
The port of Puerto Princesa is fully utilized. As early as 1894, Puerto Princesa was awarded the cleanest port and until now it’s the most environment friendly port in the country.
The Commission on Audit reported that aside from the ports of Taytay, Bataraza and Rizal, there are unutilized and underutilized ports in Iloilo such as the ports of Sibunag, Guimbal and Concepcion. The government spent a total P264.7 million to develop such sea ports.
Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas said these ports have already been constructed.
"What were going to do is to promote business. We cannot force ships to come, unless there is demand. So we will develop the market," Roxas said.
