PPA allots P280 million for Aurora ports upgrade

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is spending P280 million to improve two ports in Aurora in line with efforts to expand transport access and boost tourism in the province.

In a series of invitations to bid, the PPA said it is looking for contractors to undertake the Dingalan Port Expansion and the Casiguran Port Expansion and Rehabilitation Projects.

The PPA is allocating P204.12 million to upgrade the Port of Dingalan covering the extension of its pier, construction of port operational area and demolition of sheet pile wall.

The agency is also setting aside P75.4 million to rehabilitate and enhance the Port of Casiguran. The winning bidder for the contract will be tasked to construct a port operational area on top of a 4,003-square meter area.

The PPA is giving the contractor 510 days to complete the Dingalan Port Expansion Project. For the Port of Casiguran, the agency wants the civil works done in 420 days.

The PPA said it is closing the submissions and opening the bids on Sept. 18 for the Port of Casiguran and on Sept. 30 for the Port of Dingalan.

The PPA’s port works will contribute to public-private initiatives to improve access to Aurora by upgrading its existing gateways.

Ecozone operator Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) is leading the charge to expand access to the province sitting on the northeastern coast of Luzon.

Last month, APECO opened its airstrip for chartered flights, allowing select aircraft to land in the province.

Aurora can be reached by air if the flight is given a one-time permit (OTP) by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

Guests have to comply with the two-week lead time when applying for an OTP to charter flights to Aurora. Still, APECO president and CEO Gil Taway IV wants his agency to get a permit from CAAP to operate the airstrip for commercial flights.

Aurora is being groomed as a potential business and tourism hub in Central Luzon, and APECO is dressing up the province with new properties to attract investors and travelers.

However, Aurora is facing logistical challenges given that it is primarily reached by land, which can take as long as eight hours for visitors coming from Manila.