The completion of the Catagbacan, Loon Cruise Ship Port is eyed before the end of the term of President Bongbong Marcos in 2028.This was the update of Cong. Edgar Chatto.The ongoing Phase in the infrastructure development of the port is 90% completed.The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said this was begun in 2021.The PPA also bared that they are ready to bid an estimated additional P500 million funding for the final completion of the port.This expansion will include the construction of a Cruise Ship Berth and a Welcome Center cum Passenger Terminal Building to accommodate passengers of large cruise vessels.Earlier, PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago announced its plans to enhance and develop ports to improve efficiency and capacity, while also preparing some of them to receive cruise ships.Chatto had envisioned the Catagbacan Port to be for international cruise ships, considering the congestion at the Tagbilaran City Port.This developed as Bohol took strides to carve a niche in cruise tourism as part of its sustainable development agenda.Chatto envisioned and prioritized the development of the Catagbacan Port in Loon as a cruise ship port. It is in harmony with the planned Bohol Island Special Economic Zone (BISEZ) in Loon, Calape, Tubigon and Maribojoc under House Bill 00605.He saw its potential and strategic position in terms of tourists reaching prime tourism sites in the province such as the Chocolate Hills.To complement this, Chatto also facilitated funding for road developments linking the port to main tourist areas.As author of the Tourism Act of 2009, Chatto steered Bohol’s thrusts towards tourism industry development at the same time laid down policies to support it.
