Batanes builds boat shelter port

MAHATAO, Batanes — The P130-million boat shelter port here is nearing completion.

The project, with the direct involvement of the Philippine Navy, is the biggest infrastructure project of the provincial government and is a brainchild of Gov. Vicente Gato, a retired Navy captain.

Gato has long realized the economic returns of building a boat shelter port in the province. However, the sourcing of funds, originally estimated at P250 million, delayed the project.

When completed in October, the port will give shelter to inter-island vessels plying the Basco-Itbayat route and those ferrying passengers or construction materials from Basco or Ivana to the island-town of Sabtang during inclement weather. — Jack Castaño III