The new passenger terminal building (PTB) of the Port of Lucena will soon be completed and will open by the third quarter of the year, boosting the port’s passenger capacity towards improved tourism and maritime transport in Quezon province.

In a statement on Thursday, acting Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the new and modern PTB has a seating capacity of 1,000 passengers.

“Ang direktiba sa atin ng Pangulong [Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.] ay dapat gawing moderno at passenger-friendly ang ating mga pantalan. Isang ehemplo ng utos ng Pangulo ay itong Port of Lucena at ganito rin ang gagawin natin sa ibang pantalan sa buong bansa (The directive of our President to us is to make modern and passenger-friendly ports. One example of the President’s directive is the Port of Lucena, and we’ll use this as a model for ports for the rest of the country),” Lopez said.

Lopez, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Santiago, and DOTr Undersecretary for Planning and Project Development Teodorico Delfin led an inspection of the PTB on Wednesday.

During the inspection, Santiago said the new facility would benefit not only the locals but also tourists coming from all over the country, especially in neighboring provinces.

“Oras na matapos itong PTB, hindi na magsisiksikan ang ating mga pasahero na bibiyahe sa kanilang probinsya. Mas komportable na sila at hindi na sila mahihirapan dahil mas madali na ang pag-book ng kanilang ticket (Once the PTB is complete, passengers would no longer feel cramped together and they will be able to easily book their tickets),” he said.

Santiago said the new PTB will feature automated ticketing counters as well as solar panels that provide a sustainable source of power. (PNA)