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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Puerto Galera mayor bars cruise port project

Puerto Galera mayor bars cruise port project

Published Aug 9, 2025 01:30 pm
CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro – The mayor of Puerto Galera, this province, has issued a cease-and-desist order against the construction of a multi-million port that can accommodate cruise ships for alleged violations of a national law and local ordinances.
In a one-page order dated July 28, 2025, Mayor Robinhood Ylagan instructed the contractor of the project to stop all undertakings such as cutting of trees, earthmoving, and development or related activity about the cruise port and its associated infrastructure.
Ylagan claimed that the project has no Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources- Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) as required under Presidential Decree No. 86 or the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System.
Aside from this violation, Ylagan said the project’s proponent allegedly did not secure a municipal permit or authorization from the local government unit, including permits for building, zoning, a resolution of no objection and development permit specified in the Local Government Code of 1991 and related municipal ordinances.
Ylagan said due process and regulatory framework governing infrastructure projects within an ecologically critical area were violated in the planned construction of the project.
He also cited the potential irreversible environmental impact on coastal and marine ecosystem as one of the four grounds for issuing the order.
“Failure to comply with this order shall necessitate this office’s recommendation for the filing of administrative, civil and/or criminal charges under existing environmental laws and for coordination with relevant enforcement agencies to impose penalties and dismantle unauthorized structures,” Ylagan said.
Records at the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) showed that the P704.5-million contract was awarded to Premium Megastructures Inc. on Feb. 19, 2025 by the PPA to construct a dedicated cruise ship port in Puerto Galera, the province’s premiere tourist destination.
The project, which includes a rock causeway, reinforced concrete trestle, and pier, is part of the PPA's efforts to establish the Philippines as a premier cruise tourism hub in Asia.
The project in Sitio Hondura, Barangay Poblacion, is expected to be completed within 780 calendar days from the notice to proceed.
Premium Megastructures Inc. was selected as the lowest calculated and responsive bidder, according to the PPA.
The initiative, according to the PPA, is a significant step in developing Puerto Galera as a key destination for cruise tourism.
Last week, Puerto Galera Vice Mayor Rocky Ilagan requested the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation on Resolution No. 7578-2025 of the 11th Sangguniang Panlalawigan (2022 to 2025) which endorsed the construction of the cruise terminal.
Vice Mayor Ilagan, who was mayor during that time, said no public hearing or consultation among residents and fisherfolk were conducted on the project.

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Puerto Galera Cruise port Oriental Mindoro Mayor Robinhood Ylagan
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