Luzon’s 1st int’l cruise ship terminal now 50% finished

By Cet Dematera

The long awaited full-blast operations of the first international cruise ship terminal (ICST) in Luzon would be over soon as its construction works is already 50 percent finished despite the restrictions being implemented by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) due to the resurging cases of Covid-19 infections.

Department of Public works and Highways (DPWH) Bicol regional director Virgilio Eduarte, in an interview on Tuesday, Apr. 27, said that the civil works of the cruise ship terminal located between the panoramic Albay Gulf and the majestic Mayon Volcano in Legazpi City is not hampered by quarantine protocols being strictly implemented in Bicol.

“The project considered as another world class travel facility is expected to become operational on Sept. 24 this year and the passengers will surely enjoy a full view of the majestic Mt. Mayon when ships dock at the Albay Gulf”, Eduarte said.

Ako Bicol Party list Rep. Alfredo “Pido” Garbin Jr. said that they had helped in expediting the release of the initial budget of P150-million out of the P450 million total project cost that paved way for the immediate start of the construction of the cruise ship terminal in January this year.

“The tourist-drawing project is anticipated to continue because the Build, Build, Build (BBB) program of the government is exempted from the pandemic protocols. The workers must strictly observe the health and safety protocols in the work place”, Garbin added.

Legazpi City Mayor Noel E. Rosal in a separate interview said the ICST is a welcome addition to the infrastructure development that will tremendously uplift the tourism industry in the city to further boost tourist arrivals from different countries of the world.

Rosal said the project includes a seaport that can accommodate a 300-meter long luxury cruise ship which is the standard size of international cruise terminals.

“Upon completion of the project, Legazpi will be the second city after Tagbilaran City in Bohol to have an international passenger cruise ship terminal,” he said.

The ICST is expected to attract more tourists because of its strategic location, as it lies between the serene Albay Gulf with a four-kilometer stretch boulevard and the panoramic, cone-shaped Mayon Volcano.