Daily TribuneOur airport is the first thing a returning OFW sees after working abroad for many years; it is also the first thing dignitaries see when they come to our country. It is the first ‘hello, this is our way of life’ we offer to tourists.
It’s almost the ber months, hence travel is on the calendar for most Filipinos who are saving up for a local or international trip. The local tourist spots are not a problem; we have more than 7,000 islands to choose from. If you’re traveling internationally, the options are also unlimited.
But the question is (other than one’s budget, because everything now is too costly): are the transport hubs ready for the travel season? Your guess is as good as mine.
Considering that I’ve also traveled locally and abroad, I can compare airports around the world that serve as an extension of the culture of those countries.
Although, of course, airports are just a temporary stopover for people flying, they are the first thing travelers see in a country. In our country, it is the first thing a returning OFW sees after working abroad for many years; it is also the first thing dignitaries see when they come to our country. It is the first “hello, this is our way of life” we offer to tourists. Well, that’s for another time. But again, ports and airports are like the living rooms of countries, and people passing through them will carry a story to their destinations.
As passenger traffic continues to grow year after year, so does the need for ports and airports that can keep pace with the changing demands of travel. Recently, two major ports opened their doors to travelers and stakeholders — one in Mindanao and the other in Southern Luzon. Just days after the inauguration of the new Light Craft Landing Station in Benoni, Camiguin, the Philippine Ports Authority launched another vital maritime gateway in the modern Port of Lucena.
For thousands of travelers in Luzon, their journey starts at the Port of Lucena, a vital gateway that connects families, workers, businesses and communities to the island provinces of Marinduque, Palawan, Romblon and Aklan.
In 2023 alone, the port welcomed more than 1.08-million passengers, accommodated over 220,000 vehicles, handled 131,811 metric tons of cargo, and recorded nearly 6,000 vessel calls.
These figures are expected to climb in the coming years, reflecting the growing importance of maritime transport in connecting people, goods, and opportunities across the region.
To meet this increasing demand, the Passenger Terminal Building at the port has been reimagined into a modern, passenger-friendly facility designed with both comfort and efficiency in mind.
Recognizing this, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. inspected the new passenger terminal building on 21 July. His visit underscored the national government’s continuing commitment to modernizing the country’s maritime gateways under the Build Better More program.
Accompanied by Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez, Philippine Ports Authority general manager Jay Santiago, local officials, and transport stakeholders, the President toured one of the PPA’s major infrastructure projects designed not only to improve a building, but to transform the passenger experience from the moment travelers step into the port.
According to Santiago, this is just one of the things the ports authority does to make inter-island travel safer, more convenient and more reliable for every Filipino.
For an overview, the new terminal building will accommodate approximately 1,000 passengers from the previous 500. Automated ticketing counters will speed up transactions, while upgraded comfort rooms, improved passenger amenities, enhanced ventilation systems, and accessibility features create a more convenient and inclusive environment for everyone, including senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
Drone shots of the port show a huge solar panel blanket covering its roof. Solar panels contribute to more energy-efficient and sustainable port operations, reflecting the government’s commitment to environmentally responsible infrastructure.
But the impact of the new terminal extends far beyond its walls.
A modern port via air or sea serves as more than just a point of departure and arrival, it becomes a catalyst for local development. Because in the end, sea and air ports are more than structures — these move livelihoods, fulfill dreams, and create opportunities.
With every new gateway built, the country moves one step closer to a transport system that is ready for the future — and we’re all in the same boat.
