The Department of Transportation said Wednesday it is banking on two transport infrastructure projects in Luzon to revive the tourism industry amid the pandemic.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugude, along with Philippine Ports Authority general manager Jay Daniel Santiago, inaugurated the expanded Salomague Port in Ilocos Sur. Salomague Port is being groomed as one of the cruise ports in the country.
“The completed development projects in Salomague Port are expected to promote local economic sufficiency as job opportunities, especially in the tourism sector, will be offered once the port becomes fully operational,” Tugade said.
Located near the tourist areas and beaches of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur and the ports of Hong Kong and South China, cruise calls to Salomague Port are expected to increase significantly.
Before the pandemic, several regional cruise operators already included the Ilocos region in regular rotations.
The DOTR said at least 71 people were employed during the port’s construction phase from November 2019 to April 2021 when it was finished.
Tugade also inspected other transport infrastructure projects in the vicinity, including the Vigan Airport. The gateway undergoes site acquisition, widening of passenger terminal building, construction of administration building and power house, renovation of the vehicular parking area, water tank and runway strip grade correction.
Once the facelift of the Vigan Airport is complete, it can serve bigger aircraft which would translate into more flights and passengers.
The government is spending P69 million to rehabilitate and expand the runway of Vigan Airport. From 14,645 passengers in 2016, the airport was able to register 47,856 passengers in 2018, a compelling indication that Vigan was swiftly gaining an influx of passengers.
“When we build and improve our nation’s airports, we are also building platforms for mobility and connectivity that usher in economic and social development. Through this project, Vigan will be more accessible to Filipinos who wish to witness its historical charm. And we know that with more people coming in to Vigan, more jobs come to life for our kababayans,” Tugade earlier said.