ROXAS City – The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is set to undertake a dredging operation at the Culasi Port here to enhance its competitiveness and unlock its full economic potential.
Mayor Ronnie Dadivas confirmed that the PPA has already notified the city government of the planned developments, which will allow larger ships to dock at the seaport.
“Once our seaport is developed, it means large ships will be able to dock, and it will be more convenient for us because we will no longer have to rely on the ports of neighboring provinces,” Dadivas said in Hiligaynon.
The port has already shown signs of promise. Last July, an international cargo ship from Vietnam successfully docked at Culasi Port to deliver rice, marking a significant milestone for the city’s maritime trade.
“We really encouraged them to come here because we need to boost activity in this area. It will help create jobs, lower the prices of our commodities, and most importantly, stimulate employment and improve the overall economy,” Dadivas emphasized.
The mayor also assured that more cargo vessels are expected to utilize the port following the dredging and other development works.
Currently, port depth and infrastructure remain a challenge. In 2015, the USNS Mercy, a U.S. Navy hospital ship, anchored off the coast of Roxas City and had to use small boats to transport personnel and supplies to shore as the vessel could not enter the port due to facility limitations.
With the upcoming dredging and improvements, the city government hopes Culasi Port will soon handle larger vessels directly, further boosting trade and economic activity in the province. (PIA)
