DOTr to inaugurate cruise port in Ilocos Sur

Salomague Port in Ilocos Sur. Image from Facebook/DOTr

MANILA, Philippines — The expanded Salomague Port in Ilocos Sur, which is eyed to become one of the country’s cruise ports, will be launched on July 8, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the DOTr said the Salomague Port is being groomed as one of the cruise ports to boost the economic recovery as the government banks on the tourism industry amid the pandemic.

The developed dock includes the reinforced concrete (RC) Platform Back-Up Area and RC Pier Extension.

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With the inauguration of the port, the DOTr said it expects a “significant increase” in cruise calls as it is positioned near tourist areas and beaches of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur as well as ports of Hong Kong and South China.

Several regional cruise operators have already included the Ilocos region in their regular rotations even before the pandemic, the DOTr noted.

Once fully operational, the project is also expected to promote local economic sufficiency as job opportunities will be offered especially in the tourism sector.

On the day of the inauguration, the DOTr team will also be inspecting other transport infrastructure projects in the vicinity, including the Vigan Airport that is being upgraded to likewise boost tourism in the area.

“Once the facelift of the Vigan Airport is complete, it can serve bigger aircraft which translates to more flights and passengers,” the DOTr said.

DOTr Secretary Art Tugade and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago will lead the formal inauguration of the improved Salomague Port. — Faith Yuen Wei Ragasa, Inquirer trainee

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