President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. today announced a significant directive to construct additional ports around Lake Lanao. This initiative aims to bolster connectivity among the 18 surrounding municipalities and invigorate local economic activity, following his inspection of the newly completed ₱261 million Marawi City Port.
President Marcos emphasized the critical role of these ports in a statement during his visit, saying, “We know how important the port is to the surrounding 18 municipalities that are around Lake Lanao. This is the first of several ports that we will put up. If this is the only one, there will be no connectivity, the boat will be useless because it has nowhere to go. So, we will put others around the lake for good connectivity.”
The Marawi City Port marks a crucial step in this broader development plan. Its passenger terminal is designed to accommodate approximately 130 passengers, while the cargo section is equipped to handle both fishery and agricultural products moving in and out of Marawi City. The project is expected to significantly reduce travel times between Marawi City and other municipalities situated across Lake Lanao.
Lake Lanao, the Philippines’ second-largest and largest freshwater lake, is a cornerstone of the socio-economic and cultural life of the Maranao people. Its waters are vital for generating 70% of Mindanao’s hydroelectric power and supporting thriving fisheries, agriculture, and tourism sectors.
President Marcos expressed his satisfaction with the progress of Marawi City’s rehabilitation efforts, noting, “I was happy to see that the government is making progress in the Marawi City rehabilitation efforts after such a long time.”
The construction of the Marawi City Port was funded by the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD) under the former Task Force Bangon Marawi, with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) contributing to the project’s design and implementation.
With the port’s completion and impending operation, the Marawi City government is actively inviting ferry services to invest in the lake’s transportation system. Officials anticipate that the increased and improved cargo handling capacity will lead to a greater flow of products, particularly agricultural and fishery goods, thereby stimulating local commerce.
