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The Philippine Ports Authority – Port Management Office (PPA-PMO) in Northern Luzon will continue to improve and modernize its seaport’s facilities and services with the help of the Department of Tourism (DOT), to entice more cruise liners and investors to visit the region, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) said.
Northern Luzon Port Manager, Marieta Odicta , gave the assurance after the June 26 maiden call of the M/S Heritage Adventurer at the Currimao seaport, which is currently undergoing expansion to accommodate bigger cruise vessels.
Construction and dredging activities are already ongoing to modernize the seaport and allow the docking of bigger vessels.
Previously, the PPA has authorized expanded dredging beyond the originally approved draft of 80 meters long and 11 meters deep to allow for the docking of Panamax vessels.
The Department of Transportation and the PPA began to expand the pier in 2017 for PHP492 million ($8,9 million).
The Ilocos region has since become a cruise line destination with the maiden calls of Superstar Virgo, M/V Diamond Glory, Costa Atlantica Cruise, M/V Royal Caribean, M/V the World, among others docking at the Port of Currimao and its neighboring Salomague Port in Ilocos Sur.