VILLABA PORT IN LEYTE REOPENS AFTER REPAIR WORKS; NOW READY TO SERVE BIGGER VESSELS
An improved municipal seaport is now ready to serve residents and vessels going to and from Leyte as the Villaba Port in Barangay Silad reopens after the completion of rehabilitation works.
An inaugural ceremony marking the reopening of the port was held on Saturday, 4 January 2020 and was graced by Department of Transportation (DOTr) Assistant Secretary for Maritime Lino H. Dabi, on behalf ofDOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade.
“With barely two years remaining in President Duterte’s term, we will waste no time in providing the Filipino people with the comfortable life they deserve. Kaya naman, patuloy ‘ho nating bubuhayin, pagagandahin, at aayusin ang ating mga seaport upang mapabuti pa ang connectivity at mobility sa buong bansa,” Secretary Tugade said in his message as read by Asec. Dabi.
The development project for the Villaba Port was finished in less than a year from the start of the rehabilitation in October 2018 to August 2019.
Among the improvements made in the seaport is the construction of the backup area, repair of the damaged causeway, and enhancement of the reinforced concrete pier, allowing for the accommodation of bigger vessels.
Two shipping companies, namely Supercat and MV Robles, have likewise expressed their commitment to serve sea passengers at the port and ply the routes of Villaba, Leyte to Bogo, Cebu, and vice versa.
Following the port’s rehabilitation, further improvements will still be done to promote economic growth and boost the tourism development of the municipality.
“What you have seen is just the beginning. Soon, we will add a roll-on, roll-off (RORO) ramp and a passenger terminal building to this port in order to provide better service to the people,” DOTr Assistant Secretary Dabi said.
For his part,(PPA) Ormoc Port Manager Manny Boholano pointed out that the rehabilitation of the Villaba Port will also greatly help in attracting investors, which will increase maritime trade and support continued growth in the region.
“On behalf of PPA General Manager Jay Santiago and the entire PPA organization, let me reiterate that we will always be committed to our “serbisyo at malasakit” and we want to be your partner in opening more doors of opportunities, not only in Villaba but also for the whole 3rd District of Leyte,” said Boholano.
The inaugural ceremony was led by Leyte 3rd District Representative Vicente “Ching” Veloso III, together with Villaba Mayor Jorge Veloso, and Davao City Councilor Rey Martinez. Also at the event were Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) OIC Administrator Vice Admiral Narciso Vingson Jr., officials from the Philippine Coast Guard, and representatives from the private shipping lines.
