In inaugurating the the P430.3-million Balingoan Port Expansion Project, President Marcos said the port will give way to better tourism and trade in Misamis Oriental and nearby provinces.

"Hindi maikakaila ang magiging kontribusyon ng Balingoan Port dito sa inyong lalawigan, maging sa karatig-probinsya pati (It cannot be denied that Balingoan Port will contribute to your province and nearby provinces)," Marcos said in his speech during the inauguration rites on Tuesday, April 22.  

"Magbibigay daan ito sa mas mabilis at madaling daloy ng mga produkto at mga tao na siya naman ang magbibigay daan sa pag-unlad ng kalakalan at turismo sa inyong probinsya, at ang mga karatig na lugar, at sa buong region (This will allow faster flow of products and people, giving way to the improvement of trade and tourism in your province and nearby province)," Marcos added.

"Sa pagsasaayos natin sa pasilidad na ito, asahan natin na lalakas ang turismo, bubuhos ang negosyo, lalago ang ekonomiya, at higit sa lahat, mas gaganda ang kabuhayan ng mga taga Misamis Oriental (In improving this facility, we can expect that the tourism will improve, businesses will prosper, and the economy will grow, and more importantly, it will boost the livelihood of the people of  Misamis Oriental)," he went on.

The newly-inaugurated Port Operations Building spans 3,082.50 square meters and features a single-level, high-ceiling design that can accommodate up to 500 seated passengers. This is a 233 percent increase from the old terminal's 150-passenger capacity.

The terminal’s modern features include passenger lounge areas, gender-inclusive restrooms, childcare and play areas, food concession spaces, and prayer rooms, enhancing travelers’ convenience and comfort.

Under the expansion project, the back-up area, an additional roll-on/roll-off ramp, and expanded cargo handling capabilities were also constructed and widened.

With the improvements, the port now has the capacity to berth up to five to six RoRo (roll-on/roll-off vessels) simultaneously, significantly reducing congestion and long queues of cargo and passenger vehicles.

Strategically located 84 kilometers from Cagayan de Oro City, the Balingoan Port serves as a vital transport and economic hub connecting Northern Mindanao with Camiguin and Bohol.

The development of the Port of Balingoan could also strengthen the Northern Mindanao’s tourism landscape, offering travelers greater access to some of Misamis Oriental's lesser-known yet captivating destinations.

Marcos encouraged the port operator and travelers to help in the effort to maintain the facility.

"Ngunit hindi lang po ang pagpapalaki ng kapasidad ng mga pantalan ang prayoridad natin. Mahalaga rin po na mapanatili ang kaayusan ng mga ito upang masiguro na ligtas, matiwasay, at maginhawa ang biyahe ng bawat pasahero (But our priority is not only the expansion of the port's capacity. It is also important to maintain the order to ensure that every passenger have a safe, peaceful, and efficient trip)," Marcos said.

"Kaya’t pangalagaan natin ito. Dahil ang mga gusali, pasilidad, at imprastraktura ay magtatagal lamang kung may malasakit ang mga gumagamit nito (So, let us take care of it. Because the building, the facility, the infrastructure will last if the people using it care)," Marcos added.

Last year, the port recorded over 6,102 ship calls, surpassing pre-pandemic figures, with RoRo traffic exceeding 109,000 and passenger traffic reaching more than 671,000.

According to the President, the expansion of the Balingoan Port was only among the many projects underway in the transportation sector.

He cited several port projects around the country such as the Currimao Port Expansion and Restoration Project in Ilocos Norte, New Cebu International Container Port, Ormoc Port Expansion Project in Leyte, Plaridel Port Expansion at Improvement Project in Misamis Occidental.