Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade, together with Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Santiago, is set to inaugurate the rehabilitated and upgraded Port of Talaga in Mabini, Batangas on Wednesday, June 30.
Secretary Tugade will be joined by Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas and other local government and transport officials in the inauguration of the port, which had its rehabilitation works completed in April 2021 amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Among the completed rehabilitation works at the port are the construction of a back-up area, the construction of a Port Operations Building (PBO), and the installation of a lighting system.
“Upang mabigyan ng mas maganda, maginhawa, at ligtas na daungan ang ating mga kababayang Batangueño, pinagsumikapan ‘ho ng Department of Transportation at Philippine Ports Authority, na agarang simulan ang rehabilitation project sa Talaga Port. Ngayon, tapos na 'ho ang rehabilitasyon ng Talaga Port (The Department of Transportation and the Philippine Ports Authority endeavored to start this rehabilitation project at once in order to give Batangueños a nice, comfortable, and safe port. Now, the rehabilitation at Talaga Port is finished),” Tugade said.
The DOTr boss had assured port users of a safe and secure sea travel to and from Mabini, Batangas. With the rehabilitation of the Port of Talaga, travelers can now enjoy a more comfortable and convenient sea travel experience as well as improved port services, the agency said.
Meanwhile, the PPA said 30 local residents were given jobs during the construction phase of the port project. Additional employment is also expected to be generated with the opening of more business and tourism opportunities following the port's start of operations.
The Talaga Port is one of 14 completed social tourism and commercial projects in the province of Batangas.
Ongoing are improvement works at Subukin Port in San Juan, Batangas, authorities said.