The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will inaugurate today, Thursday, the expanded Salomague Port in Ilocos Sur, a critical piece of infrastructure that will help spur trade and tourism in the region.
In a media advisory, the agency said it has completed the construction of the reinforced concrete (RC) platform back-up area and the RC pier extension of the port.
“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,” the agency said.
The port is located near the tourist areas and beaches of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte. With the expansion, the transport agency said “cruise calls to the country are expected to increase significantly.”
“Before the pandemic, several regional cruise operators have already included the Ilocos region in their regular rotations,” the DOTr said.
It added that 71 people were employed for the construction phase of the port. Started in November 2019, construction phase was completed in April.