President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. led the inauguration of the Balingoan Port expansion project in Balingoan, Misamis Oriental on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

Upon his arrival, the President inspected the project, including the ticketing booth, comfort rooms, kids’ playroom, and the passenger lounge.

Marcos said the port expansion project will create a positive impact on tourism and economy in the province.

“Sa pagsasaayos natin sa pasilidad na ito asahan natin na lalakas ang turismo, bubuhos ang negosyo lalago ang ekonomiya at higit sa lahat mas gaganda ang buhay ng mga taga Misamis Oriental,” Marcos said.

The project has a budget of P430 million, which covered the port operations building and the expansion of the cargo handling facility that could accommodate five to six Roll on-Roll off (RoRo) vessels.

The capacity of the passenger lounge also increased from 150 to 500.

“Bagamat nalinis na syempre pag-gamit ay dumudumi yan so ang instruksyon po natin sa mga terminal management officers na siguraduhin lahat unang-una ang mga comfort rooms dapat malinis yan, may handwash, may toilet paper at dapat may cycle yan na nililinis talaga,” Philippine Ports Authority General Manager, Jay Santiago, said.

“Dati 1,000 passengers per day, walang paghihintayan, walang upuan, walang cr, mainit hirap na hirap yung mga kababayan natin. You can just imagine 1,000 na mga kababayan natin hirap na hirap para lang makabyahe para lang makapunta ng camiguin and back. Kaya yun talaga ang kabilin-bilinan ng pangulo na kailangan hindi na pwede yung ganon,” Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon added.

Balingoan Port serves as the main port to Camiguin Island. DOTr is also exploring the possibility of opening routes to the Visayas.

RICE, COCONUT PROCESSING

Meanwhile, Marcos also led the launch of a rice processing system and turnover of coconut processing facility in Balingasag town.

The rice processing system aims to help farmers reduce their postharvest losses through modern technology.

On the other hand, the integrated coconut processing facility targets to produce coconut-based products and raise the buying price of copra in the province from P9 to P18 per piece.

“Number 2 tayo sa buong mundo sa coconut products ganyan kaganda ang produkto ng coconut ganyan kagaling ang ating farmers na kahit sa kahirapan wala silang mga facility yung mga mill nila kinakalawang na isipi natin kung itong processing pakakalatin natin sa buong pilipinas,” Marcos said.

The P350-million facility will be managed by the First Community Cooperative, and thousands of coconut farmers are expected to benefit from it.

Marcos also led the distribution of farm equipment to farmers, including four-wheeled tractors, rice harvesters, and a hog transporter truck.

“Hinihikayat ko pong pagyamanin at alagaan ang mga handog na ito patuloy kayong matutong gumamit ng makabagong teknolohiya,” Marcos added.

(With reports from James Paolo Yap)