TIEZA holds consultation for Manila cruise port project

MANILA, Philippines — The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) is gaining traction with its efforts to develop the country’s first cruise port.

In partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), TIEZA held a stakeholder consultation session yesterday for the construction of a cruise port and facility in Metro Manila.

“The stakeholders’ meeting gives the opportunity for everyone involved in, or affected by, the construction of a Manila cruise port to discuss in an open forum all issues involving the project, with the goal of integrating all of their inputs in the conduct of planning and construction of the port moving forward,” the agency said.

TIEZA chief operating officer Pocholo Paragas earlier said it has chosen engineering firm ESCA Inc. to conduct the feasibility study for the development and operation of the cruise port.

Based on information on its website, ESCA is engaged in structural design, civil engineering, and project and construction management services.

Paragas earlier said the feasibility study would be able to identify what needs to be done in order to develop the Manila cruise port, how it would be constructed and how much is needed to build the project.

He added that the government decided to bid out the cruise port study to find companies with better knowledge on cruise port facilities and development.

Paragas said the initial feasibility study is expected to last for 10 months.

He earlier said the agency aims to complete the construction of the first cruise port before the end of the Duterte administration in 2022.

After the feasibility study for the Manila cruise port is completed, Paragas said this may be replicated in other ports in the country.

“We’ll do it here first, then look at the port of ‘Subic as an option,’ he said.

TIEZA said the conduct of the feasibility study and master plan will pave the way to meet increasing tourism demand, to attract tourism investments and to upgrade tourism product and service.

With the implementation of the National Cruise Development Strategy (NCTDS),TIEZA has been designated by the DOT as the lead agency responsible for the construction and development of the cruise-dedicated port in Manila and in other priority ports in the country to harness the potential of cruise tourism as an emerging tourism product and vital engine for tourism growth.

The agency aims to develop a cruise port which is accessible to major tourist attractions in Metro Manila and its environs and provide a state-of-the-art cruise port which will feature a seafood market as well as various concessions.

Under the NCTDS, the country aims to have 656,635 cruise passengers from 300 ports of calls by the end of 2022.

Last year, the Philippines welcomed 140 port of calls for a total of 114,437 cruise passengers.