President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. led the inauguration of the Port Operations Building (POB) in Balingoan, Misamis Oriental on Tuesday.

It is part of the P430.3 million Balingoan Port Expansion Project, which is expected to boost economic and tourism activities in the region.

“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 for a faster and easier flow of products and people, which in turn will pave the way for the development of trade and tourism in your province, neighboring areas, and the entire region),” he said in his remarks.

Marcos also emphasized the importance of the Port of Balingoan as a gateway to Camiguin, which has crystalline beaches and a breathtaking view of volcanoes.

“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 (With this upgraded facility, we expect tourism to strengthen, business to flourish, the economy to grow, and most of all, the livelihoods of the people of Misamis Oriental will improve),” he said.

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

Facilities such as lounge areas, gender-inclusive restrooms, childcare and play areas, food concession spaces, and prayer rooms are also installed, enhancing travelers’ experience.

To support more travelers, the project also allowed the construction of a back-up area, an additional roll-on/roll-off ramp, and expanded cargo handling capabilities.

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.

Due to its strategic location—only 84 kilometers from Cagayan de Oro City—Balingoan Port serves as a vital transport and economic hub connecting Northern Mindanao with Camiguin and Bohol.

In 2024, 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.

In addition to the Balingoan Port, Marcos said the government is in the process of improving other port terminals and infrastructure across the country.

“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 (Our priority is not only to increase the capacity of the ports. It is also important to maintain their order to ensure the safe, secure, and comfortable travel of every passenger),” he said.