The newly completed Smart Port in Liloan town was inaugurated on Saturday, May 27, signaling increased economic development and tourism activities in Liloan and Camotes Islands.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte led the ribbon cutting ceremony, together with Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, Cebu Gov.
Gwen Garcia, and all Cebu congressmen and women, some mayors and local officials in Cebu.
The “smart port”, boasting of being the first in Cebu using cashless ticketing and the QR code system, will serve as a new entry point for travelers to and from Camotes Islands, a rising tourist hub in Cebu and other vessels to and from Leyte and Bohol.
For Cebuanos, it will cut the travel time to 40 minutes, which is more convenient for those who will be traveling to Lapulapu City through a seabus that is expected to operate soon.
END OF SUFFERING
Gov. Gwen, in her speech, highlighted how this development will “finally end the suffering” of many locals and tourists who used to have only one option in visiting Camotes, and that is via Danao City–San Francisco route.
The governor is optimistic of a “much brighter future of economic development and boom in tourism” for Camotes and Liloan with this major completed project.
“It’s encouraging to see that a massive undertaking such as this, where the local government takes the lead and collaborates with the private sector and other LGUs, in the pursuit of objectives consonant with the national development agenda,” President Marcos said in his speech.
“Public infrastructure, transport development, road traffic decongestion, but there is a — the Governor hit the nail upon the head when she said that these are just parts of a bigger system that we will synchronize and put together,” he further added.
The President underscored how Cebu has been “leading the way” in many aspects, and economic resurgence is just one of them.
ENHANCED CONNECTIVITY AND MOBILITY
Pier 88, a private and public partnership (PPP) venture started by then Liloan Mayor now Congressman Duke Frasco and Topline Group of Companies, a 3-phase, 3-hectare port and commercial development in partnership with Pier88 Ventures Inc. Tickets can be booked online, and the facility is powered by solar panels.
The project is expected to bring enhanced connectivity and mobility, serving as a marine highway linking Liloan to Lapu-Lapu City, as well as to Bohol and Leyte.
SMART PORT
As a smart port, it will integrate digital technology in its operations by using QR codes and a radio frequency identification-ready (RFID) system to be integrated in a mobile application, providing passengers convenience while traveling.
Port facilities and services of Pier88 will also include the following: Ramps for berthing, Mooring Dolphins, Pedestrian Bollards, Pier Bridge and Deck, Truck Weighing Scale, Storage, Cargo Handling, Trucking, Arrastre, Porterate, Stevedoring, Leisure and Island Hopping terminal, Shuttle, and Banking Services.
A couple of brand new Topline Seabus passenger vessels equipped with state-of-the-art engines will be launched soon and will be able to serve commuters from Bohol, Camotes, Leyte and Metro Cebu. It can accommodate 150 passengers.
OceanJet, Super Shuttle Ferry, and Aznar Shipping have already come on board to offer daily trips from Liloan to Poro town in Camotes. Ceres buses have also been issued LTFRB permits to ply the Cebu City–Liloan–Camotes route via Pier 88.
The event was also attended by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, and Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Ahong Chan, joining Liloan Mayor Aljew Frasco in welcoming the VIP guests. | Carlo Lorenciana