PPA opens bigger Coron port

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has opened the new port operations building (POB) of the Port of Coron, doubling the passenger capacity of the gateway in time for the summer season.

The PPA is scheduled to inaugurate today the expanded POB of the Port of Coron, as the agency expects travelers to flock to Palawan during the summer period.

The PPA increased the passenger capacity of the Port of Coron to 500 from 250, and also built a prayer room, charging stations, and all-gender restrooms.

The PPA said the expansion allows the Port of Coron to accommodate the influx of tourists that reaches up to 900 every day during peak seasons like summer and December. At present, the port facilitates Coron to Manila trips at least five times a week.

According to the PPA, the new POB of the Port of Coron sits on the 5,000-square meter backup area that was developed as part of the project. The PPA spent a total of P267 million to put up the facility.

Moving forward, the PPA vowed to complete the additional 51 meters of wharf with two ramps for roll-on, roll-off ships.

On March 8 the PPA inaugurated the new POB of the Port of Masbate, increasing its passenger capacity by five times to 542.

Also, the PPA completed the 1,000-sqm transit shed of the port that will be used as an income generating facility to be offered for rent to cargo handlers.

By the end of March, the agency plans to open to the public the new passenger terminal building of the Port of Calapan, the largest of its kind in the Philippines. The PPA said the expansion quadrupled the passenger capacity of the facility to 3,500, from 800 prior.

The agency, tasked to develop, manage and upgrade domestic ports, spent P353 million to build the new passenger terminal building of the Port of Calapan. The facility features a prayer room, breastfeeding area, all-gender restrooms and escalators and elevators for ease of access.

Based on data, passenger traffic in Philippine ports more than doubled to 59.06 million in 2022 from 23.08 million in 2021 on the resurgence of demand for sea travel.

For 2023, PPA general manager Jay Santiago expects passenger volume in domestic ports to rise by 20 percent, optimistic that the recovery of travel and tourism will extend to this year.