Photo from DOTR-PPA
MANILA, Philippines — The passenger terminal at the Port of Cagayan de Oro, considered as the country’s biggest, was inaugurated on Monday, July 15, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced.
The building, which is within the Passenger Terminal Complex of the port, is a massive two-storey building with a total floor area of 5,597 square meters, the department said.
The new terminal has a capacity of 3,000 passengers, which is triple its previous capacity.
Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade led the inauguration, along with Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Santiago and PPA Port Manager for Misamis Oriental/Cagayan de Oro Isidro Butaslac Jr.
“I have inaugurated many terminals during our term, and the truth is, this is the biggest passenger terminal building in the Republic of the Philippines,” Tugade said in a statement.
“This project will fulfill the President’s wish of achieving mobility and connectivity between the Visayas and Mindanao,” Tugade said in Filipino. “With this terminal, you will have a convergence of people for mobility that will lead to economic growth.”
For his part, Santiago said: “As the PPA welcomed its 45th founding anniversary, we have this huge PTB to stand as the emblem of our service and dedication… We hope that this new PTB will contribute to the socio-economic growth, not just of Cagayan de Oro, but of the entire Northern Mindanao region,” Santiago said in the same statement.
The new passenger terminal building is expected to enhance the safety and security of the riding public. In includes security checkpoints with x-ray scanners for baggage, body scanners, CCTVs, passenger boarding stations, collector’s booth, public assistance desk, designation green areas, storage rooms, and offices.
It also has amenities, such as a play area for children, childcare station, ecumenical prayer rooms, drinking fountains, toilet facilities, urgent medical care room, food stalls, and a special boarding lane for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWD), pregnant women, and women traveling with children below two years old.
Also inaugurated on Monday were the Port of Cagayan de Oro’s new electronic gate complex and the Port of Opol in Misamis Oriental.
On the same day, the terminal fee exemption for students started in ll PPA-owned and operated facilities nationwide. Senior citizens, PWDs, and active personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard are also exempted from paying terminal fees.
READ: Coming soon: Free rides for students at MRT-3, LRT-2, PNR – DOTr
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