Ongoing discussions between DEPDev XI, led by the regional director Priscilla R. Sonido and OIC-assistant regional director Mario M. Realista, PPA-PMO Davao, and the project team on aligning the Port of Pantukan development plans with regional priorities during the coordination meeting on the Feasibility Study and Master Plan for the Port of Pantukan on April 21, 2026. DepDEV XI
THE PROPOSED development of the Pantukan Port in Davao de Oro is expected to improve cargo movement across the Davao Gulf, an official from the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DepDev) XI said.
During the news conference on the 2025 Regional Accounts of Davao Region on April 23, DepDev XI regional director Priscilla R. Sonido announced the upgrade and development of the port.
“PPA is going nationwide, selecting ports to upgrade, and one of the ports they were able to prioritize or select is the Pantukan Port for Davao de Oro,” Sonido said.
She added that the PPA will be undertaking the masterplan and feasibility study for the Pantukan Port, adding to the existing ports in the region.
Pantukan port will enhance intermodal connectivity from port to port, such as Tagpopongan port of Island Garden City of Samal, among others.
“Goods coming from Davao City, Tagpopongan, Pantukan, diretso na agad sa Mati,” she added, noting Pantukan already has brisk economic activities.
Carlou Devin Cafe, PPA Davao senior engineer, told TIMES that the development of the port is still in the planning stage and no timeline for completion yet.
“As of now, preparations pa lang, survey, pagkuha ng draft, so far,” Cafe said.
He added that the port in Pantukan has a causeway, but no ships are docking in, as the agency is conducting inspections.
Cafe said the port development will strengthen the region’s logistics by linking coastal communities to major markets.
“The bigger the port, the more it can cater and in turn improve the economy,” he said.
The DEPDev XI recently convened with the PPA project team to conduct feasibility studies and formulate a master plan for the ports, including Pantukan, to align the project with the region’s broader development agenda.
According to the DEPDev press release, discussions focused on ensuring that the Pantukan Port project is aligned with major regional frameworks, including the Davao Regional Development Plan, the Regional Development Investment Program, the Davao Gulf Area Development Plan, and the Metro Davao urban development blueprint.
“Its development is seen as complementary to existing gateway ports, helping distribute economic activity more evenly across coastal communities while supporting inclusive growth,” the agency stressed.
PPA highlighted the port’s capacity to support agricultural exports, passenger mobility, and RORO services, as well as its role in facilitating local and regional trade.
Under the DRDP 2023-2028 Midterm Update, the region aims to solidify its role as an international logistics hub in Mindanao through developing the Davao Gulf seaport system and ferry routes, which the Pantukan Port forms part of.
The broader strategy is to develop logistics system facilities, enhance supply chain efficiency, and lower transport costs for key industries.
