Balingoan Port extension unveiled

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PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday led the inauguration of the expanded Balingoan Port in Misamis Oriental, a project that was expected to boost the economic and tourism activities in the region.

In his speech, Marcos cited the strategic value of upgrading the Balingoan Port for regional development.

"In improving this facility, we can expect tourism to grow stronger, businesses to flourish, the economy to expand, and most importantly, the livelihood of the people of Misamis Oriental to greatly improve," Marcos said.

"That's why we must take care of this. Buildings, facilities and infrastructure will only last if the people who use them show care and responsibility. We know there's still so much more to do to fulfill the promise of a better future for every Filipino. But we will never stop," the President added.

The newly inaugurated Port Operations Building spans 3,082.50 square meters and features a single-level, high-ceiling design that can accommodate up to 500 seated passengers. This is a 233-percent increase from the old terminal's 150-passenger capacity.

The terminal's modern features include passenger lounge areas, gender-inclusive restrooms, childcare and play areas, food concession spaces and prayer rooms, enhancing travelers' convenience and comfort.

Under the expansion project, the backup area, an additional roll-on/roll-off ramp and expanded cargo handling capabilities were also constructed and widened.

With the improvements, the port now has the capacity to berth up to five to six RoRo (roll-on/roll-off vessels) simultaneously, significantly reducing congestion and long queues of cargo and passenger vehicles.

Strategically located 84 kilometers from Cagayan de Oro City, the Balingoan Port serves as a vital transport and economic hub connecting Northern Mindanao with Camiguin and Bohol.

The development of the Port of Balingoan could also strengthen Northern Mindanao's tourism landscape, offering travelers greater access to some of Misamis Oriental's lesser known yet captivating destinations.

Last year, the port recorded over 6,102 ship calls, surpassing pre-pandemic figures, with RoRo traffic exceeding 109,000 and passenger traffic reaching more than 671,000.

Marcos said the Balingoan Port expansion was just one of the projects the government was working on under the Build Better More program.

"Last year, we completed the expansion of the Passenger Terminal Building at the Batangas Port. It can now accommodate up to 8,000 passengers — a huge improvement from its previous seating capacity of only 2,500 passengers," he said.

The President also mentioned the ongoing Currimao Port Expansion and Restoration Project in Ilocos Norte, New Cebu International Container Port, the Ormoc Port Expansion Project in Leyte and the Plaridel Port Expansion at Improvement Project in Misamis Occidental.