PHL’s BIGGEST PORT PASSENGER TERMINAL BUILDING UP FOR INAUGURATION IN CDO THIS JULY

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) announced that the country’s biggest seaport Passenger Terminal Building (PTB), located at the Port of Cagayan de Oro, is set for inauguration on 15 July 2019.

Lodged in a two-storey building with a total floor area of 5,597 square meters, the new CDO Port PTB boasts of a 1,176-passenger seating capacity on its ground floor, and a 1,221-passenger seating capacity on its second floor.

According to PPA General Manager Jay Santiago, the new facility at the Port of Cagayan de Oro is eyed to boost opportunities for economic growth and tourism, not only in the city or in the province of Misamis Oriental, but for the whole of Northern Mindanao.

“The construction of this brand new building will greatly strengthen the region as the global gateway to Mindanao. Once we inaugurate this on July 15, we are opening Cagayan De Oro to the nation and to the rest of the world as we pursue progress for our seaports,” GM Santiago said.

Through the expansion project, the new PTB can now accommodate up to 3,000 sea passengers daily, triple its previous passenger capacity of 1,000.

The Philippines’ largest port PTB also boasts of facilities and amenities that cater to the safety and comfort of sea passengers. These include security checkpoints with X-ray scanners for luggage, body scanners, security cameras, passenger boarding stations, assistance desks, designated green areas, play area for children, and a child care station.

Construction of the PTB was completed in April this year.

For his part, DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade commended the PPA for its efforts in completing the massive port project for the people of Cagayan de Oro.

“I am thankful to GM Jay Santiago, and to the men and women of PPA, for realizing the dream of building the biggest Passenger Terminal Building in the country. This is a huge step towards giving the people of Cagayan de Oro a comfortable life through enhanced connectivity, a legacy promised by President Rodrigo Duterte,” Secretary Tugade said.

The Cagayan de Oro Port’s new PTB will be inaugurated four days after the celebration of the PPA’s 45th Founding Anniversary on July 11.