The Port of Surigao

The Port of Surigao serves as the Base Port of the Port Management Office of Surigao. Located in Surigao City on the northeastern coast of Mindanao, the Port of Surigao lies in a protected cove, making it an all-weather facility and ideal port of refuge.

The Port Management Office (PMO) of Surigao has jurisdiction over various ports in the provinces of Surigao Del Norte including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, Surigao del Sur, and the Province of Dinagat Islands.

Passengers and cargoes from Southern Leyte and even Agusan Del Sur and Agusan Del Norte are handled at Surigao, thereby making it the premier port in the Caraga Region.

2017 Port Statistics show the Port of Surigao cargo throughput comprised 11.7% of total PPA ports nationwide; Passenger traffic comprised 3.2%; Shipcalls comprised 3%; Ro-Ro traffic comprised 2.8%; and Container TEUs comprised less than 1%.

PMO Surigao, headed by Port Manager Mildred J Padilla, has 4 Terminal Management Offices (TMO). TMO Lipata, headed by Allan P Yap, lies northwest of the Base Port in Surigao del Norte. TMO Siargao, headed by Francisco M Suriaga Jr, oversees ports in Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands from its base at the Port of Dapa in Siargao Islands, Surigao del Norte. TMO Dinagat Islands, headed by Jerk E Comparativo, oversees government ports in the island province from its base in the Port of San Jose. TMO Tandag, headed by Debs G Consuegra, manages ports in Surigao del Sur from its base at the Port of Tandag in Tandag City. There are 3 ports with Ro-Ro ramps: Baseport of Surigao, TMO Siargao Dapa, and TMO Dinagat San Jose.

Counterclockwise from top left: TMO Siargao, TMO Lipata, TMO Tandag, TMO Dinagad Islands

HISTORY. The Port of Surigao has a long and colorful history that dates back to the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. From the Island of Homonhon, sailing through the Strait of Surigao along the coast of Dinagat Island, Magellan’s fleet dropped anchor at Surigao for watering before proceeding to the Island of Cebu where he was killed on Mactan Island nearby.

The Port Management Office of Surigao (PMO Surigao) officially came to exist on 01-August-1977 when the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) established its port management unit in Surigao City as it took over port operations, maintenance and related functions from the Bureau of Customs and from the then Bureau of Public Works.

Development of the Port of Surigao under the Fourth IBRD package was bided on 12-March-1987 and awarded to F.T. Sanchez Construction on 8-April-1987. The contract took effect on 28-September-1987. The project was formally inaugurated on 9-July-1990 thus modernizing the port, enhancing its role as a gateway to Mindanao.

About the Author

Vicky Viray-Mendoza
Executive Editor, MARITIME REVIEW. Special interest in Marine Environment. Retired World Bank Group Operations Evaluation Analyst. Specializes in operations research, evaluation, and analysis. Education: Currently taking her Masters in U.S. Law (American Military University, VA); Masters in Public Administration (George Washington University, D.C.); Masters in Business Administration (University of Maryland, MD); Post-Masters Certificate in International Finance and Global Markets (Georgetown University, D.C.). BSC Management; BSC Accounting (Assumption College, San Lorenzo, Makati); Assumption Convent High School (San Lorenzo, Makati); St. Theresa's College, Cebu, Grade School.