The Philippine government has opened new facilities at the Port of Benoni in Camiguin province in an effort to alleviate congestion and curb illegal ticket "fixers" as visitor arrivals continue to rise.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. led the inauguration of the new Port Operations Building and Light Craft Landing Station, saying the island's transport infrastructure must keep pace with its growing tourism industry.
While the tourism growth has brought opportunities for the island's economy, it has also placed a strain on the Port of Benoni, leading to congestion and exploitation of travelers by unauthorized ticket processors.
According to the President, congestion at the port during peak seasons has made it difficult for travelers to find boat tickets, resulting in exploitation by unauthorized ticket processors or "fixers" who take advantage of tourists and locals.
The President has ordered the Department of Transportation to eliminate similar bottlenecks at transport hubs nationwide.
The upgraded port serves as Camiguin's main gateway to the ports of Jagna in Bohol and Balingoan in Misamis Oriental, with passenger traffic projected to reach about 950,000 annually by 2030.
The President emphasized the importance of investing in infrastructure to meet the increasing demand from travelers, saying the Benoni project forms part of a broader maritime development program to boost connectivity across the island province.
The projects, including upgrades at the ports of Balbagon and Guinsiliban, aim to improve inter-island links between Northern Mindanao and Central Visayas and support the movement of passengers, cargo, fuel, and other essential goods.
