The modernization of Banago Port in Bacolod City, worth more than half-a-billion-peso, and formally inaugurated by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Dec. 12, is expected to spur wider economic activity across Negros Occidental, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said.
“The upgraded infrastructure is poised to create ripple effects in shipping, transport, retail, tourism, and allied industries, strengthening the province’s role as a dynamic economic hub,” the PPA said in a statement.
It added that the port plays a vital role in passenger travel, Roll-On/Roll-Off (RoRo) traffic, and the transport of key commodities, such as sugar, rice, and corn, the critical drivers of economy. “It also enhances tourism access to nearby destinations, like Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary in Murcia, Patag in Silay City, and Lakawon Island in Cadiz.
Marcos emphasized the port’s growing role as a hub of connectivity and progress in the Visayas. Since the economy’s reopening after the pandemic, port activity has surged, with passenger movement surpassing pre-pandemic levels in 2023 and 2024, and RoRo traffic rising from over 66,000 vessel calls in 2019 to more than 125,000 in 2024, the PPA said
The new facility features a modern, dedicated operations center, enabling the existing terminal to serve passengers exclusively. Additional improvements include the widening of the causeway for smoother road access, enhanced vehicular flow, and a covered walkway to shield passengers from inclement weather.
The project also provides additional port space that will cater to more passengers, from 50 to 500 daily, through the new passenger terminal on the first floor of the building.
“The inauguration of the Banago Port Operations Building is more than an infrastructure milestone—it is a commitment to world-class service, improved efficiency, and sustainable growth for the people of Negros and the wider Visayas region,” PPA general manager Jay Santiago said.
“Together with the ongoing San Carlos Port Improvement Project, Banago’s modernization positions Negros Occidental as a cornerstone of maritime trade, mobility, and tourism in the central Philippines, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to building globally competitive port infrastructure,” he added. ||
