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CEBU CITY — Officials have broken ground for a multibillion-peso New Cebu International Container Port (NCICP) in Barangay Tayud, Consolacion town in Cebu, marking a major step toward boosting economic growth in the Visayas and Mindanao.
GROUNDBREAKING FOR NEW PORT Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista (2nd from left) and Consolacion Mayor Teresa Alegado (right) lay the capsule at the site of the P6.93-billion New Cebu International Container Port project on Consolation town in Cebu during the groundbreaking ceremony on Feb. 5, 2025. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
The Department of Transportation and the Cebu Port Authority are spearheading the P6.93-billion project to ease congestion at the Cebu Base Port and enhance the region's cargo-handling capacity.
Government officials and key stakeholders gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday.
Consolacion Mayor Teresa Alegado called the event a "historic milestone" for the town, Cebu, and the broader Visayas and Mindanao regions.
"Today marks a historic milestone not just for Consolacion, not just for Cebu, but for the entire Visayas and Mindanao region," Alegado said.
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"After years of planning, deliberation and overcoming numerous challenges, we are finally breaking ground for the long-overdue New Cebu International Container Port," she added.
She emphasized that the project is crucial in sustaining Cebu's economic growth, particularly as it continues to position itself as the second-largest economic hub in the country, next to Metro Manila.
Cebu's existing Base Port has been operating at near full capacity, struggling to accommodate the increasing volume of cargo passing through the region.
The new port in Consolacion is expected to relieve congestion by redistributing international container traffic.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista highlighted the importance of the project, describing it as a major step in modernizing Cebu's maritime infrastructure.
"The NCICP is more than just a port — it is a symbol of progress, collaboration and our collective commitment to enhancing the efficiency and reliability of our nation's infrastructure," Bautista said.
He added that the project is designed to improve transport efficiency, lower logistics costs and provide a smoother flow of goods in and out of the region.
The NCICP is set to be constructed on a 25-hectare reclaimed island, featuring a 500-meter berth and a water depth of 12 meters.
It marks a significant advancement in maritime infrastructure for Cebu and the Visayas region.
According to Bautista, the modern facility is expected to enhance the operational capacity of Central Visayas' primary cargo gateway.
The project will include a 500-meter berth capable of accommodating vessels carrying up to 2,000 twenty-foot equivalent units.
Additionally, the port will be equipped with quay cranes, stacking areas and road infrastructure to facilitate efficient cargo operations.
The project has a total cost of P16.93 billion, with funding secured from the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Kexim) and the Philippine government.
Kexim is providing P9.65 billion through a loan, while the Philippine government will contribute P7.28 billion.
HJ Shipbuilding & Construction Co. Ltd., a South Korean firm, has been awarded the $180.5-million contract to construct the port.
The company is expected to complete the project by the second quarter of 2028.
Bautista acknowledged the critical role of international partners in financing and supporting the project.
Officials expect the NCICP to generate significant economic benefits for Cebu and the surrounding regions.
The port's operations are projected to create direct and indirect jobs, particularly in the construction, logistics and maritime industries.
Bautista outlined several key advantages of the new port, including savings in vessel waiting and stay costs, reduced transport expenses and improved traffic conditions.
He also emphasized the benefits for local businesses and industries.
For the public sector, Bautista said the project would bring increased tax revenues and environmental cost savings through modern and efficient port operations.
Meanwhile, for Alegado, Consolacion has been a growing municipality, but she believes the NCICP will elevate its status as a key economic player in Cebu's development.
"To the people of Consolacion, this is our moment. Our town is no longer just a growing municipality; it is now the catalyst for Cebu's economic expansion," she said.
Alegado emphasized that NCICP is more than just an infrastructure project; it represents a crucial step toward securing a stronger economic future for Cebu and the surrounding regions.
She highlighted the project's swift progress, noting that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the contract signing with HJ Shipbuilding & Construction on Dec. 18, 2024, and construction is now officially under way.
The NCICP marks a significant infrastructure investment in Cebu, but its success will depend on the efficiency of its implementation.
Bautista reaffirmed the government's commitment to completing the port by its target date in 2028.
Bautista described the timeline as ambitious but reflective of the administration's determination to deliver tangible results.
He also underscored the importance of collaboration with project partners to ensure the facility is completed on schedule and within budget.
