CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) -- The Philippines' largest Port Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) located in Calapan City was inaugurated, March 27, with Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go as guest speaker.

The Calapan Port PTB is the third Port Operations Building (POB) that has been inaugurated this year, said PPA Assistant General Manager lawyer Elmer Nonnatus Cadano.

The P353-million PTB, with a total floor area of 8,124-square meter, can now house 3,500 passengers compared to the previous capacity of 1,600 from the old terminal building of Calapan. 

The construction of the PTB started under Pres. Rodrigo Duterte's "Build, Build, Build" program and was completed under Pres. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s administration through its “Build, Better, More” program.

It is designed to bring world-class port administration closer to people which is anchored in the PPA's mandate to improve port facilities and services in support to national development.

The newly-inaugurated PTB features a prayer room, breastfeeding area, all-gender restroom, high-tech automated doors, escalators and elevators that are PWD-friendly, and various food stalls for the convenience of passengers.

In his message, Sen. Go thanked the Filipino people for their collective contributions in making this project possible.

 He also reiterated that government officials, such as himself, are merely instruments in order to make lives of the fellow Filipino better. 

Sen. Go added that improvements in sea transportation and services are essential if there is an aspiration for economic growth.

Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor and Oriental Mindoro 1st District Representative Arnan C. Panaligan both expressed their gratitude to former President Duterte for making the PTB project a reality, and to Pres. Marcos Jr. for continuing the vision that the former administration had for the holistic development of MIMAROPA. 

With the new Passenger Terminal, it is expected that it can provide comfort and ease for travelers, especially during peak seasons.

Data from the Port Management Office-Mindoro showed that an estimated number of 3,000 to 4,000 passengers use the terminal building of Calapan Port on a regular basis and will most likely increase during this Holy Week.

Aside from Sen. Go, also in attendance were the local officials of Oriental Mindoro and key officials from the different national government agencies including those from PPA. (JBG/JJGS/PIA MIMAROPA)