ARMM Inaugurates P150 Million Newly Completed Expanded Port In Lamitan City, Basilan

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) inaugurates and turn over the newly completed P150 million expanded port project on Friday, January 6, in Lamitan City, Basilan province.

Basilan District Engineer Soler Undug said the port expansion, involving 80-meter long and 20-meter wide pier, would be able to accommodate more vessels, including roll-on roll-off vessels.

According to Undug, the project was funded by the ARMM’s Public Works and Highways through its 2016 infrastructure budget.

Through the initiative of ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman, the construction of the project started in April 2016.

The ARMM Governor said they will continue to rehabilitate and improve the ports in the different parts of ARMM.

The ARMM operates ports in Jolo, Sulu, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, and Lamitan City, Basilan.

Furthermore, there are also sub-ports under the administration of ARMM and these included the following areas: Siasi, Sulu, Maluso, Basilan, and, in Mapun, Sitangkai, and Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi.

The regional government also exercises regulatory powers over six private ports operating in ARMM.

“It will be an economic gain. With a bigger port, delivery of services would be more efficient and effective,” said Hataman.

Moreover, closed-circuit television cameras will also be installed at the port of Lamitan City.

Allan Pisingan, Regional Ports Management Authority’s assistant general manager for operations, said ARMM provided P40 million in 2012 for the first expansion of the Lamitan City port.

He further said the latest expansion will help Lamitan City to move more cargoes and goods.

“The development of the ports in the region will help handle the smooth movement of goods and passengers,” added Pisingan.

Lamitan’s economy is based primarily on agriculture producing copra, rubber, coffee and black pepper.

At present, two passenger-cargo vessels serves the Lamitan City-Zamboanga City route and vice-versa.

Source: ARMM.Gov