PPA readies P1.5 billion for Leyte, Bohol port projects

MANILA, Philippines —  The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) will spend more than P1.5 billion to construct a new port in Leyte and expand an existing one in Bohol to boost trade activities in Visayas.

The PPA is investing P1.58 billion for the civil works of the Port of Babatngon in Leyte and the expansion project of the Port of Tapal in Ubay, Bohol.

The agency is allocating P937.21 million for the development of the Port Babatngon, located to the north of the San Juanico Strait.

The contractor who will secure the project will be given a maximum of 720 days to complete the infrastructure. In particular, the contractor will put up the port operational area and causeway, as well as the reinforced concrete (RC) pier.

The PPA views the Port of Babatngon with much potential, planning to make it the transhipment hub of Eastern Visayas once completed. The port is designed to become a secondary docking site for large-scale vessels headed to the region’s capital Tacloban.

Right now, ships have to cross the narrow waterways of the San Juanico Strait to be able to reach Tacloban, slowing down trade in Eastern Visayas and causing port congestion.

The PPA is likewise spending P608.22 million for the expansion of the Port of Tapal, one of the Bohol facilities renovated during the Duterte administration.

For this project, the contractor will be granted a total of 660 days to deliver all of the upgrades to the port.

The Tapal Port Expansion Project is split into three phases based on the project design. The first involves removal and excavation works, the second covers the expansion of the port operational area and the third focuses on the RC wharf extension.

Meanwhile, the PPA is allotting P31.3 million for the improvement of the Lamao Port in Limay, Bataan. The contractor will be provided up to 240 days to enhance the infrastructure.

According to the project feature, the contractor will be tasked to widen the rock causeway of the port to increase its capacity in handling shipments.

The PPA will conduct a pre-bid conference for all of the projects on April 30, and will receive bids until May 14 for the Ports of Tapal and Lamao and until May 17 for the Port of Babatngon.