As part of moves to improve tourism, economic development and maritime transport in the region.
On Tuesday, July 21, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. was joined by with Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Santiago during an inspection of the modernized passenger terminal building (PTB) at the Port of Lucena in Quezon Province.
Quezon Governor Angeline Tan and Lucena Mayor Mark Alcala were also present.
The said PTB is scheduled to open in August and is expected to boost Southern Luzon’s passenger capacity.
“Lucena Port is approximately (catering to) 500,000 travelers every year,” noted the President. “Kaya’t kailangan na i-upgrade ‘yung mga facilities para matulungan natin ang ating traveling public para hindi sila masyado mahirapan.”
The Port of Lucena is a key hub for the region, serving the provinces of Quezon, Romblon and Marinduque.
The new Lucena Port PTB has increased its seating capacity to 967 from its previous 607 passenger capacity — accommodating more tourists and passengers. “So kayang-kaya yung traffic for now,” the President added.
He furthered, “I hope that this will be sufficient at least for the future. But of course, we will continue to develop [the port],”
Moreover, the Chief Executive shared that there is also a facility in case for stranded passengers during times of inclement weather and other conditions that affect the operations.
“We will be providing a facility so that also meron silang mapuntahan habang nagaantay,” he said.
Meanwhile, for his part, Secretary Lopez said, “Ang utos sa atin ni Pangulong Marcos, Jr. dapat ganito ka-ganda at moderno ang ating mga pasilidad para komportable at maayos ang biyahe ng ating mga pasahero at turista. Ganito ang gagawin nating template sa lahat ng mga ports natin para makatulong sa lokal na ekonomiya at turismo sa mga probinsya.”
As for PPA General Manager Jay Santiago, “Marami ang mga bumabiyahe na turista at pasahero rito sa Lucena Port—yung mga papuntang Marinduque at Romblon. Sadya nating nilakihan ang terminal para mas marami tayong ma-accommodate at mas pinaganda natin ito para sa ating mga biyahero.”