PBBM: UPGRADES AT PORT OF LUCENA GOOD FOR REGIONAL GROWTH

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday vowed to continue developing the Port of Lucena to catch up with rapid growth in passenger and cargo traffic in Calabarzon and nearby regions.

“But of course, we will continue to develop. As I said, what my experience is, ‘pag nagpapatayo tayo ng infrastructure, kung anuman ang itatayo mo, mapupuno ‘yan. Kaya sasabihin mo, good na ‘yan for 10 years. Now, nauna ‘yung taon at napupuno,” the President said during the inspection of the Port of Lucena passenger terminal building (PTB) in Quezon.

“But that’s good. Good for the commerce of the region. Good for Lucena. Good for Quezon. Good for all of the surrounding ports also,” President Marcos noted.

The President said such facility upgrades at the Port of Lucena are aimed at ensuring passenger convenience and comfort, especially by providing them temporary shelter when ships can’t sail during bad weather.

The chief executive expects the passenger terminal building to be ready by next month, noting the upgrade is necessary because of the importance of the Lucena Port to ongoing traffic in the region.

The Port of Lucena, he said, handles approximately 500,000 travelers every year.

The construction of the P153.43 million new passenger terminal building is funded by the PPA corporate budget.

The new PTB features a 1,268.19-square-meter pre-departure area with a passenger seating capacity of 928.

It also has a terminal fee booth, ticketing counters, nursing and prayer rooms, and a 100-kilowatt solar panel system.

The Port of Lucena, located in Bgy. Talao-Talao, Lucena City, serves as a key gateway connecting southern Luzon and Marinduque.

Catering to domestic vessels handling cargo and passenger traffic, it also serves Masbate City and Romblon routes.