Daily TribuneThe inauguration on 13 July also reminded us that infrastructure is not just about concrete and buildings. It is about creating opportunities, connecting communities, and making everyday life better for ordinary Filipinos.
PHOTOGRAPH courtesy of Department of Tourism Governance
Some places have a way of leaving a lasting impression long before you even arrive. Camiguin, known as the “island born of fire,” is one of them.
Personally, I’ve always been fascinated by volcanoes. In fact, did you know that the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) traces its roots to the devastating eruption of Mt. Hibok-Hibok on Camiguin? That volcano, its lush green peak the focus of countless travel photos, played a significant role in shaping the country’s volcanic monitoring system.
As someone who hikes, I was interested in checking out Mt. Hibok-Hibok but from what I’d read, the volcano is a very difficult trail with 8-9/10 difficulty as some people have reviewed it. It is still an active volcano and the way to the crater is a very steep trail, with all the physical and mental battles you will face upon reaching the top. But many tourists are into adventure and would not miss a chance to climb the volcano.
If you’re not into hiking and jungle adventure, Camiguin also offers relaxing beaches like the famous White Island known for its powdery white sand and from which you have a panoramic view of Mt. Hibok-Hibok. Also, there’s Agohay Beach with a long stretch of volcanic sand in Agoho, Mambajao.
During his recent visit, even President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. noticed the beautiful scenery. He highlighted not only the island’s natural beauty but also the genuine welcome extended by every Camiguingnon to visitors from near and far.
For an island province whose economy thrives on tourism, trade, and mobility, accessibility is more than just convenience — it is an essential ingredient for growth. That is why the inauguration of the first-ever Light Craft Landing Station (LCLS) and the new Port Operations Building (POB) at the Port of Benoni is a milestone worth celebrating.
Serving as Camiguin’s primary maritime gateway to mainland Mindanao and Bohol, the Port of Benoni has experienced remarkable growth in recent years as more travelers discover what the island has to offer. The new facilities provide safer and more efficient travel for passengers, dedicated berthing for light craft, improved port operations, and faster movement of people and goods.
More importantly, it opens greater opportunities for local businesses, transport operators, farmers, fisherfolk, tourism enterprises, and the many families whose livelihoods depend on a vibrant local economy.
President Marcos inaugurated the first-ever LCLS and inspected the POB at the Port of Benoni in Mahinog, Camiguin, marking another milestone in the Marcos administration’s efforts to modernize the country’s port infrastructure, strengthen inter-island connectivity, and support inclusive regional development.
The inauguration on 13 July also reminded us that infrastructure is not just about concrete and buildings. It is about creating opportunities, connecting communities, and making everyday life better for ordinary Filipinos.
Joining the President at the inauguration were Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez, Philippine Ports Authority general manager Jay Santiago, local government officials, and key stakeholders from the maritime transport sector.
The PPA continues to invest in modern infrastructure that enhances operational efficiency while serving as a catalyst for tourism, trade, and regional development. For regular port users, the improvements represent a significant upgrade in the overall travel experience.
Passengers will benefit from safer, faster, and more convenient travel through improved passenger processing facilities, enhanced amenities, and modern safety features. Transport operators, including passenger vessel and light craft operators, cargo haulers, and vehicle transport services, will likewise benefit from dedicated berthing facilities that improve vessel turnaround time, enhance navigational safety, and support more efficient port operations.
Special thanks are also extended to the Port Management Office of Misamis Oriental/Cagayan de Oro, to port manager Ferdinand Mapalo Jr., and the PMO staff (Jurylie, Cassandra, Ella, Eddie, and the others) for the seamless inauguration and opening of the new port facilities.
For Camiguin, the new facilities at the Port of Benoni represent more than another government project. They make travel safer, tourism more accessible, businesses more competitive, and put more opportunities within reach of every resident who calls the island home.
After all, the first thing visitors see when they arrive on an island is not the beach or the volcano, it is the port. It is the first handshake, the first welcome, and the first impression.
With a modern Port of Benoni ready to serve thousands of travelers, that first impression is now even better. For an island as beautiful as Camiguin, perhaps that is exactly what it deserves, a gateway that is every bit as welcoming as the people of the island. And that tells us that we are all in the same progressive boat!
