With the installation of modular floating docks, four community-based sustainable tourism sites in Palawan can provide a better and safer experience for tourists.
In line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s centerpiece infrastructure program, “Build Better More,” more modular floating docks will be installed in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, which aims to provide and improve tourism infrastructure in the country.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed the Department of Tourism (DOT) and its attached agencies to ensure the maximum satisfaction of the tourists in visiting various attractions in the country as he reiterated the importance of giving our visitors the “overall tourist experience” during their vacation in the Philippines.
President Marcos, through the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), approved the installations of modular floating docks at four community-based sustainable tourism (CBST) sites in Puerto Princesa and three more outside the city. These are in San Carlos, Honda Bay, Baywalk, and Maoyon, all in Puerto Princesa Cty; Sitio Pinagmangaluan, barangay Poblacion, San Vicente and Siete Pecados and Lualhati Park both in Coron.
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, TIEZA installed modular floating docks in El Nido, San Vicente, and Honda Bay Wharf. A floating dock is a lightweight quay or jetty floating on pontoons that rises and falls with the tide and shipping. Compared to stationary docks, floating docks are much safer, long-lasting and efficient to use.
The installation of modular floating docks in El Nido is a pioneering project of TIEZA in El Nido, Palawan, aimed at providing a better and safer tourist experience.
In September 2023, TIEZA allotted P55.9 million to finance the establishment of the modular floating docks in four Puerto Princesa tourist destinations.
A floating dock is a lightweight quay or jetty floating on pontoons that rises and falls with the tide and shipping.
The establishment of a floating dock system in various parts of the country is part of TIEZA’s Project D.R.E.A.M.S. (Destination, Restoration, Eco Sustainability, Agrotourism, Medical Assistance, and Security and Accessibility), which aims to provide and improve tourism infrastructure in the country.
This project likewise aligns with the Marcos administration’s Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 or a master plan for deep economic and social transformation to reinvigorate job creation and accelerate poverty reduction by steering the economy back on a high-growth plan.
President Marcos wants this growth to be inclusive, building an environment that provides equal opportunities to all Filipinos, and equipping them with skills to participate fully in an innovative and globally competitive economy.
TIEZA, the infrastructure arm of the DOT, said the establishment of modular floating docks will be carried out to other tourist destinations, such as Puerto Galera in Mindoro, Bohol, and other frequently-visited island scenic spots.
Mercy Abueg congratulated TIEZA and the local government for this project, saying this is a big boost not only to tourists but also to the small entrepreneurs, especially vendors.
“It is easier and faster for passengers to embark and disembark on a boat, so they have more time to purchase souvenirs or kakanin available within the vicinity. These floating docks are such a big help to us,” Abueg said.
Willy Fermin, a barangay tanod, noted that this project not only provides safer transport to tourists but also benefits inclusive growth. “It is crucial to give tourists the best experience from the moment they step off the boat, and these modular floating docks projects set the tone,” Fermin said in Tagalog.
Both Abueg and Fermin thanked the Marcos administration for ensuring that our tourist destinations hae been properly addressed and expressed the hope that similar projects would be accomplished since Palawan is relying heavily on the influx of tourists.
The average cost for putting one floating dock is around P20 million, an innovative project that would ensure the safety and convenience of the visitors, especially the elderly, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women.
Palawan and a lot of its islands are among the top tourist destinations of the Philippines, with island hopping as the main activity. The lack of proper facilities for transporting island hoppers back and forth may discourage tourists from visiting our islands.
This is an innovative project that would ensure the safety and convenience of the visitors, especially the elderly, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women.
TIEZA, as a builder of tourism infrastructure, is focusing on projects of national interest. These infrastructure projects are solely funded by 50% of the total travel tax collection. Further, TIEZA remits the remaining 50% to the National Treasury, 40% of which goes to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and 10% to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
The modular floating docks project started on September 20, 2023, and was completed on February 3, 2024, serving thousands of tourists daily.
The installation of modular floating docks in Siete Pecados and Lualhati Park, both in Coron, started on December 5, 2022, and was completed on April 3, 2023, while that of the San Vicente project started on December 19, 2022, and was completed on February 7, 2023.
Compared to stationary docks, floating docks are much safer, long-lasting, and efficient to use.
