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The federal government plans to construct extra ports round Lake Lanao, says President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
MARAWI, Philippines – For years, boats from lakeside cities in Lanao del Sur introduced fish and items to Marawi Metropolis. That stopped in 2017, when Islamic State-inspired militants seized town, and authorities forces responded with a five-month assault that left giant elements in ruins.
Now, a newly accomplished port within the Marawi siege’s most affected space, or what locals nonetheless name “Floor Zero,” might restore a few of what was misplaced.
The P261-million facility features a passenger terminal, fish port, berthing space, and Ro-Ro (roll-on, roll-off) ramp. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited the positioning on June 23 for its inauguration, although the port has but to start operations.
“That is the primary port we’ve established on this space, and we plan to develop extra ports round Lake Lanao to enhance connectivity. I’m completely happy to see that at the least we’re making progress after such a very long time,” Marcos stated.
Building started in 2021, a part of a broader rehabilitation program led by Activity Pressure Bangon Marawi. Initially due for completion by the top of 2022, the venture was suspended after the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) launched design modifications, together with a 17-meter entry street.
Lifeline
Subsequent to Laguna de Bay, Lake Lanao is the second-largest lake within the nation, and earlier than the Marawi siege, it was a lifeline for commerce. The unique Dansalan Port, renamed Marawi Port after town’s identify was modified in 1959, served some 18 municipalities. It collapsed together with the native fish commerce in the course of the five-month armed battle in 2017.
“All of the fish bought listed below are from Iligan Metropolis, apart from just a few caught in Ranaw,” stated Jaber Domado, a vendor on the Omaira market, a former hospital transformed right into a public buying and selling space. “We used to get our inventory from Masiu and Bayang via the previous port.”
After the Marawi siege, distributors like Domado have relied on bikes to restock. Others watch for cellular suppliers to succeed in town. Makeshift ports sprung up in barangays comparable to Ambolong and Timbir, whereas cities like Ramain and Binidayan started promoting fish solely regionally.
Sights and sound
“The brand new port in Floor Zero might restore the sight and sound of boats crusing throughout the lake within the early morning,” stated Norhayna Disoma of the Marawi Metropolis Agriculture Workplace.
She stated displaced fisherfolk are actually scattered throughout barangays like Calocan and Marinaut however stay with out direct assist.
“Our workplace solely covers land-based farmers. We haven’t deserted our fisherfolk as there’s simply no particular company but assigned to supervise them,” she stated.
Earlier than its renaming, Dansalan, which implies “port of entry” in Meranaw, stood as a key buying and selling publish in the course of the American colonial interval. Officers now hope the brand new port will as soon as once more place town as a significant hub in Lanao del Sur and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Area in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The port is completed, however what’s lacking is motion, and the return of commerce – and livelihoods – as soon as carried throughout the water. – Rappler.com
Abdul Hafiz Tacoranga Malawani is a campus journalist from Marawi Metropolis, Lanao del Sur finding out Data Know-how at Mindanao State College Marawi. He’s the editor in chief of Mindanao Varsitarian and an Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow of Rappler for 2025.
