BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade, along with Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Santiago, led the inauguration of the expanded Cantilan Port, located in Cantilan town,Surigao del Sur.

The expansion project encompasses the construction of the Reinforced Concrete (RC) Pier, back-up area, and port lighting system.

During the event, Secretary Tugade laid out the long-term, and essential benefits of the recently-completed expansion project at the Cantilan Port, particularly for the handling of cargoes and cement shipments.

 “Napalawak ‘yung pantalan, mga kargamentong pisikal, ‘yung mga semento at kargamento mas madali at mas malawak ang kilos mo diyan (The port was already widened, and equipped with other facilities. Cargoes are easily mobilized and port personnel could easily move),” Sec. Tugade said.

“'Yung pagbiyahe from one point to another mas okay. Kung pinag-uusapan ang connectivity, ‘yun po ang hangarin natin kaya binabago natin at naglalagay tayo ng continuing improvements upang sa ganun yung objective na connectivity ay mapalawak (The transportation from one point to another has been improved. When we talk of connectivity, that is our target the reason why we continue to make improvements to widen more our connectivity),” he added.

Sec. Tugade said the capacity of Cantilan port was improved. "In fact, the neighboring areas such as Carrascal, Madrid, Carmen and Lanuza in Surigao del Sur are also benefitting from this development,” he said.

With the realization of the project, the port can now handle over 25,000 to 30,000 bags of cement shipments a month, and can handle twice its current cargo volume.

For his part, GM Santiago said that apart from the expansion project for the Cantilan Port, more seaport improvement and development projects are well underway, and will continue. 

“Tuluy-tuloy ang pag-improve natin sa mga pasilidad natin dito sa Caraga region. Tuloy-tuloy din ang repair works at expansion sa Ports of Surigao at Masao, at ang Nasipit Port Management Office (We continue to improve our facilities here in Caraga region. We do repair works and expansion at the ports of Surigao and Masao, and Nasipit Port Management Office),” GM Santiago said.

With the roll-out of these port projects in the region, Secretary Tugade commended the utmost efforts and efficient management of GM Santiago.

Apart from becoming a vital key for socio-economic growth and development, the Cantilan Port will also be able to bring comfort, convenient and seamless service to its clients, and will open an array of job opportunities, not just in the province, but the entire Caraga region. (DOTr/PIA-Caraga)