Newly-rehabilitated Tubigon Port starts operations

The newly rehabilitated port in Tubigon at Bohol province has reopened its operations Saturday after it was damaged by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck the province five years ago. (Photo courtesy: DOTr via PNA)

MANILA — The port in Tubigon, Bohol resumed operations on Saturday after the damages it sustained during the magnitude 7.2 earthquake five years ago had been repaired, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said.

The repair and renovation of the port was fast-tracked following an inspection conducted by Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade in March 2018.

“Under the leadership of Philippine Ports Authority general manager, Jay Santiago, and PPA Port Management Office (PMO) – Bohol port manager, James Gantalao, with the guidance of Secretary Tugade, the repair was completed in less than nine months,” the PPA said in a statement.

The port can now accommodate 28 ships, including larger sea vessels, which is almost three times more than its previous capacity of 10 ships. It also has three roll-on, roll-off (RORO) wharfs for docking landing craft tanks and barges.

Its air-conditioned passenger terminal building can serve about 4,000 passengers daily from its previous 1,500 passenger capacity and provides a child care station facility and enhanced security facilities, including a baggage X-ray machine and a walk-through metal detector.

The rehabilitation of the port included the establishment of a one-stop shop for a more convenient clearing and payment of port charges; the repair of the pedestrian covered walkway, lighting system, security fence and gate; and improvements on the port access road.

“The rehabilitation of the Tubigon port forms part of the government’s infrastructure plan to further develop Bohol’s economy, which was severely affected by the devastating quake that left hundreds dead and billions of pesos worth in damages,” the PPA said.

The Tubigon port will serve as a primary dock for sea vessels traversing the Tubigon-Cebu City route, and an alternative mode of transportation for travelers from Bohol going to Cebu and vice versa due to its shorter travel time, numerous transport schedules, affordable fares and availability of public vehicles that ply the routes to any point in Bohol.