BUSINESS

Lucena Port upgrade lifts passenger capacity

Maria Bernadette Romero · Jul 21, 2026, 10:59 PM

The Port of Lucena is Southern Luzon's primary roll-on/roll-off gateway, connecting mainland Luzon to Marinduque and neighboring island provinces. In 2023, it handled over 1.08 million passengers, 220,982 vehicles, 131,811 metric tons of cargo, and 5,968 vessel calls. The port’s new passenger terminal building features a fully air-conditioned waiting area that can accommodate 1,000 passengers, automated ticketing counters, modern restrooms, upgraded passenger amenities, enhanced ventilation system and solar panels to support energy-efficient and sustainable port operations. — PHOTO courtesy of Philippine News Agency

The modernized passenger terminal at the Port of Lucena is set to expand passenger capacity and strengthen tourism and trade in Southern Luzon when it opens next month.

A key maritime gateway serving Quezon, Marinduque and Romblon, the Port of Lucena handles around 500,000 passengers annually.

Upgraded terminal

The upgraded terminal increases seating capacity by nearly 60 percent to 967 from 607, allowing the port to accommodate more travelers while improving the passenger experience.

“Lucena Port [caters to] approximately 500,000 travelers every year. That’s why we need to upgrade the facilities to make travel easier and more convenient for the public,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said.

The President was at the Port of Lucena on Tuesday to inspect the new passenger terminal building which is expected to begin operations in August.

“I hope that this will be sufficient at least for the future. But of course, we will continue to develop [the port],” he added.

Unlock more economic opportunities for Quezon

Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the upgraded terminal is expected to unlock more economic opportunities for Quezon and serve as the model for future port modernization projects nationwide.