Manila Bulletin
Philippines
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Newly renovated Port of Coron inaugurated in time for Holy Week exodus
Philippines
National
Newly renovated Port of Coron inaugurated in time for Holy Week exodus
Newly renovated Port of Coron inaugurated in time for Holy Week exodus
Published Mar 22, 2023 04:57 am
The Port of Coron in Palawan is now ready to accommodate up to 900 persons in its passenger terminal area following a massive renovation which was completed in time for the influx of people for the Holy Week next month.
From a maximum of 250 passengers before, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago said the Port of Coron can now accommodate 500 passengers that could be expanded for 700 to 900 people during peak season.
“This will not only bring tourism and trade to the surrounding provinces of Palawan, but this will also bring connectivity and mobility to the people and tourists of Palawan” said Santiago. The Port of Coron is the second renovated port inaugurated this year, the first was the Port of Masbate which can now accommodate over 500 passengers from 100 before. The renovation of Port of Masbate also includes a Transit Wharf to make the area comfortable for the passengers going to and from the passenger ships and ferries. The Port Operations Building in Coron, according to Santiago, is not only spacious but also complete with amenities that include a prayer room, charging station, with better breastfeeding area, and an all-gender restroom.
The renovation is also compliant with the PPA push to make all its port structures environment friendly, including the lighting that would use LED lights and eventually reduced dependence from coal-powered electricity sources and efficiency in the air conditioning system. "Fifty percent of the terminals now are constructed with resilient and weather proof glass, so that the lighting would not be expensive in electric consumption. And we also call this waste water in our terminal operations, we’re improving our water treatment," Santiago earlier said. The environment-friendly structure, which Santiago said was designed by local architects, is reflected in the Port Operations Building of Coron. The POB sits on the newly completed 5000 sqm back-up area and Port Management Office Manager Elizalde Uson said the construction of an additional 51-meter wharf for two RORO (Roll On, Roll Off) ramps. The project costs P267 million. Timely Ulson said the completion of the POB is timely amid the looming influx of foreign and local tourists to Palawan in time for the Holy Week. He said passenger ships and ferries are expected to be tapped by tourists, especially that the flights for Palawan for the Holy Week are already fully-booked. “We initiated discussions with the passengers and they were happy that our facilities are now more comfortable and the passenger terminal area already has a good view of the sea as a result of good design,” said Ulson.
Due to the high demand, the peak season for Palawan travel has already started since March 1, with a daily average passenger of 500 and is expected to increase during the Holy week with estimated 700-1,000 passengers daily.
In the case of the Port of Coron, the PPA expects 500 passengers daily for the Holy Week.
The Port of Coron serves as a gateway for tourist sites in Palawan as it has 45-minute travel time to El Nido, 30-minute travel time to other destinations like the Barracuda Lake, Twin Lagoon, and Kayangan Lake.
Tatlo sa Marso
The Port of Coron is the second of what the PPA’s described as #TatlosaMarso project. The first to be inaugurated was the Port of Masbate.
Before the end of March, Santiago said they also expect to inaugurate the Port of Calapan which he describes as the biggest Passenger Terminal Building as it can accommodate up to 3,500 passengers.
“This is part of our initiative to make travel for all Filipinos and foreign tourists comfortable and convenient,” said Santiago.
He said these projects would be a big boost to the revival of Philippine tourism which is seen as one of the essential tools for economic recovery after the adverse effects of the Covid-19.
“This will not only bring tourism and trade to the surrounding provinces of Palawan, but this will also bring connectivity and mobility to the people and tourists of Palawan” said Santiago. The Port of Coron is the second renovated port inaugurated this year, the first was the Port of Masbate which can now accommodate over 500 passengers from 100 before. The renovation of Port of Masbate also includes a Transit Wharf to make the area comfortable for the passengers going to and from the passenger ships and ferries. The Port Operations Building in Coron, according to Santiago, is not only spacious but also complete with amenities that include a prayer room, charging station, with better breastfeeding area, and an all-gender restroom.
The renovation is also compliant with the PPA push to make all its port structures environment friendly, including the lighting that would use LED lights and eventually reduced dependence from coal-powered electricity sources and efficiency in the air conditioning system. "Fifty percent of the terminals now are constructed with resilient and weather proof glass, so that the lighting would not be expensive in electric consumption. And we also call this waste water in our terminal operations, we’re improving our water treatment," Santiago earlier said. The environment-friendly structure, which Santiago said was designed by local architects, is reflected in the Port Operations Building of Coron. The POB sits on the newly completed 5000 sqm back-up area and Port Management Office Manager Elizalde Uson said the construction of an additional 51-meter wharf for two RORO (Roll On, Roll Off) ramps. The project costs P267 million. Timely Ulson said the completion of the POB is timely amid the looming influx of foreign and local tourists to Palawan in time for the Holy Week. He said passenger ships and ferries are expected to be tapped by tourists, especially that the flights for Palawan for the Holy Week are already fully-booked. “We initiated discussions with the passengers and they were happy that our facilities are now more comfortable and the passenger terminal area already has a good view of the sea as a result of good design,” said Ulson.
Due to the high demand, the peak season for Palawan travel has already started since March 1, with a daily average passenger of 500 and is expected to increase during the Holy week with estimated 700-1,000 passengers daily.
In the case of the Port of Coron, the PPA expects 500 passengers daily for the Holy Week.
The Port of Coron serves as a gateway for tourist sites in Palawan as it has 45-minute travel time to El Nido, 30-minute travel time to other destinations like the Barracuda Lake, Twin Lagoon, and Kayangan Lake.
Tatlo sa Marso
The Port of Coron is the second of what the PPA’s described as #TatlosaMarso project. The first to be inaugurated was the Port of Masbate.
Before the end of March, Santiago said they also expect to inaugurate the Port of Calapan which he describes as the biggest Passenger Terminal Building as it can accommodate up to 3,500 passengers.
“This is part of our initiative to make travel for all Filipinos and foreign tourists comfortable and convenient,” said Santiago.
He said these projects would be a big boost to the revival of Philippine tourism which is seen as one of the essential tools for economic recovery after the adverse effects of the Covid-19.