The town of Sta. Fe in the tourist island of Bantayan is building a finger wharf to accommodate international cruise ships, an official revealed Friday.

Francisco Comendador III, general manager of the Cebu Port Authority (CPA), said a wharf will be incorporated into the design of the ongoing improvement works at Sta. Fe Port.

Comendador said Governor Gwendolyn Garcia suggested the inclusion of the finger wharf that could accommodate cruise ships, which is expected to become a game-changer in the tourism industry in the tourist destination.

Apart from the finger wharf, Comendador said the governor also proposed the construction of more berthing areas to take in more ferries and roll-on/roll-off vessels.

According to environmental studies, the existing rock causeway of the port is the reason why the fine sand in Sta. Fe is unevenly distributed.

He said they would introduce a reinforced concrete deck so the water and sand could freely flow underneath the causeway.

The construction of the deck would address the environmental issue and enhance the town’s world-class beaches.

The new port will be managed and operated by the capitol as per agreement with the CPA.

The project, which has an initial PHP500 million budget allocation, is currently in phases 1 and 2.

It has four phases and expected to be completed next year. (PNA)