Albay's trade gateway to Viz-Min

MANILA, Philippines - The recently inaugurated Port of Pioduran in Albay has made the once rustic fishing community a primary Luzon gateway of the Central Nautical Highway to the Visayas and Mindanao. Complete with modern roll on-roll off (Ro-Ro) facilities, the Pioduran port is projected to unlock Albay’s backdoor to the south. Albay Gov. Joey Salceda formally opened the Port of Pioduran with Pioduran Mayor Dante Arandia and 3rd district Rep. Fernando Gonzalez. The event was also attended by officials of the Philippine Ports Authority and executives of three shipping lines which launched their respective maiden voyages to Masbate, the Visayas, and Mindanao. Salceda said all factors augur well for Pioduran as Luzon’s gateway to the South, from among the existing ports in the Bicol Region. It complements one other Albay seaport, the Port of Pantao in Libon town. Both face the South China Sea, but Salceda said “Pioduran will soon emerge as the most active Ro-Ro port while Pantao will essentially cater to heavier and larger ships.” The port’s rock causeway and its Ro-Ro ramp were completed at the cost of P60.4 million and P14 million respectively. Montenegro Shipping Lines, Medallion Transport Inc., and Santa Clara Shipping now dispatch an average of at least 10 trips per day. By November this year, he said, the Bicol Express Railways Transport will start its operation and will foster a more efficient multi-modal transport system that would further promote competition while providing other transports options, particularly in times of emergencies or disasters.