ITBAYAT, Batanes (PIA) - - The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), together with Batanes provincial and municipal officials, recently conducted an ocular inspection and assessment of the Tachimus Port in this town.

According to Provincial Information Officer Justinne Socito, the inspection was part of the PPA’s plan to conduct a feasibility study and a formulation of a master plan for the improvement of existing ports in Itbayat such as in Valanga and Chinapoliran. 

Also included in the plan is the development of an alternative port in Tachimus on the eastern side of Itbayat island. 

During the consultative stakeholders’ meeting held in the town, Batanes Governor Marilou Cayco stressed the importance of the Tachimus Port as an alternative and safe berthing port in Itbayat during the treacherous habagat (southwest monsoon) season.

In the onset of the habagat, berthing or docking in the ports of Valanga and Chinapoliran is near to impossible, hence, supplies of basic necessities and other supplies to the island municipality are adversely affected.

Moreover, it also causes dilemma in transporting emergency patients. 

According to Socito, the development of Tachimus Port is expected to have a wide array of positive impacts to the economic growth of Itbayat particularly on food sufficiency, agricultural development, unhampered delivery of goods and people, medical emergencies, tourism among others.

After the ocular inspection and assesment, the PPA will deploy their survey teams in the coming days. (JKC/PIA Batanes/with reports from Christine E. Darbin/photos from the Batanes prov'l gov't)