The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has awarded a P704,548,888.13 contract to Premium Megastructures Inc. (PMI) for the construction of a dedicated cruise ship port in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, following a competitive bidding process.

According to the official notice of award dated February 26, 2025, PMI emerged as the lowest calculated and responsive bidder among 11 companies that submitted proposals during the bid opening on February 10, 2025.

The PPA Bids and Awards Committee formalized the decision in a resolution dated February 18, 2025.

The project at Sitio Hondura, Barangay Poblacion, includes constructing a backup area, rock causeway, reinforced concrete trestle, and a reinforced concrete pier.

PMI must complete construction within 780 calendar days from receipt of the notice to proceed.

The award notice, signed by PPA General Manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago, requires PMI to “formally enter into contract” and post the required performance security within ten days of receipt. Failure to comply would result in cancellation of the award and forfeiture of the bid security.

Oriental Mindoro Governor Bonz Dolor celebrated the development on a Facebook post, saying: “Our dream of a Puerto Galera (Oriental Mindoro) Cruise Port is gradually being fulfilled. The Notice of Award for the P704 million first phase of the total project has been signed, which will lead to increased tourism, additional livelihoods, and greater economic development not only in Puerto Galera but in neighboring (places) in Oriental Mindoro.”

The port in Puerto Galera joins several other dedicated cruise ship facilities including the completed P620.6 million Jubang Cruise Terminal in Siargao and ongoing projects in Alegria, Aklan (P744 million), Coron, Palawan (P418 million), and Balbagon, Camiguin (P493.9 million).

The investment comes as cruise tourism in the country shows strong growth, with PPA ports handling 134,742 cruise passengers in 2024, a 53% increase from the 88,080 recorded in 2023.

(file photo courtesy of UNESCO)