THE Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) will build a ferry terminal in Cavite to connect the province to Manila next year.
The terminal will be built in San Roque, Cavite for connection to the terminal being constructed at the back of a mall in Pasay City. Both terminals are expected to be operational by mid-2008.
The PPA will spend P11.51 million for the six-month construction, which involves dredging work and construction of a jetty pier.
The process of eligibility checks and the pre-bid meeting will be conducted before year-end. The eligible bidders will submit their bids on January 4, 2008. PPA will then award the contract a few weeks later.
The PPA project comes after Metrostar Ferry Inc inaugurated its daily ferry service from Shoemart’s Mall of Asia in Pasay to Cavite City last July. Metrostar uses a twin-hull, twin-engine vessel, which can accommodate 130 to 550 passengers per trip. Fare is between P60 and P75, double that for land transport.
There are eight trips going to and from the Manila to Cavite City and vice versa.
Metrostar secured a P135-million loan from Philippine Export Import Credit Agency and state-owned Philippine Veteran’s Bank to bankroll the project.
The PPA is also looking at constructing another ferry terminal at the back of the Luneta Grandstand to further connect Cavite and probably Bataan to the rest of Manila.
