The new passenger terminal (PTB) of the tourist port in the city of Tagbilaran was opened to the public on Sunday, more than a year after its inauguration.
Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Bohol Director James Gantalao said the two-story facility that can accommodate up to 2,000 passengers will replace the old PTB which has a capacity of 500 passengers.
In April of last year, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Sec. Arthur Tugade inaugurated the 75 million peso facility, but the transfer of operations was delayed due to documentation requirements, especially as the takeover of GlobalPort Terminals Inc. was still pending.
Gantalao confirmed that the PPA officially transferred operations and management of the port to GlobalPort on May 20, 2022.
“GlobalPort has assumed the operation and management of the port, but the port regulator and administrator will be PPA. Ang ila lang is cargo handling, terminal and ancillary services,” Gantalao said.
Gantalao said PTB 2 is more spacious and will have areas for dealers, ATMs and currency exchange booths.
The new facility is fully air-conditioned and features free Wi-Fi, larger restrooms, a prayer room, and accessibility features for people with disabilities (PWD).
It will also continue to offer rent-free space for blind massage therapists.
“On PTB 2, the NATO address corresponds to the old terminal like the accessibility for the sauna with gawas, mo saka pa. Og mo ulan, my safety compromise pud kay mo gawas the pasahero. Unya huot pud kaayo,” Gantalao said.
However, he noted that they are still awaiting the delivery of a new x-ray machine as some of the old equipment at the port was damaged when Typhoon “Odette hit Bohol in December.
“Wala mi makaayo dayon after the typhoon its so apektado tanan, hasta air conditioning. Naabtan pud ta sa election ban, di pud ta mahimo maka-repair dayon,” Gantalao said.
Meanwhile, the old terminal or PTB 1 will be renovated and used as a tourist assistance center.
It will also house cabins for travel and transport services. (A. Doydora)
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