The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) says it supports the proposal to establish a tri-city ferry system in Region 1.
Initiated by the Regional Development Council (RDC) Region 1, the ferry system proposal aims to link the cities of Dagupan and Alaminos in Pangasinan, and San Fernando in La Union.
“The Marina welcomes this innovation. The proposed tri-city ferry system is an out of the box solution. Though it will directly compete with land transport, we can see that it can potentially maximize our sea lanes, particularly in the northern part of the country,” Marina domestic shipping service director Sonia Malaluan said in a statement.
Marina said the proposal will also boost operations of local shipyards with the anticipated increase in newbuilding orders for the tri-city ferry system.
Suitability of fastcraft
Marina, in a recent meeting with RDC, National Economic and Development Authority, Philippine Ports Authority and local government units (LGUs) in Pangasinan and La Union, pledged to provide assistance to the project. Part of the support the agency can provide is to conduct a study to determine the suitability of fastcraft or waterbus/taxi operations in the region, in line with the agency’s ship modernization program.
Marina said the tri-city ferry system is seen as a solution to the heavy flow of road traffic in the three cities while providing a faster and more convenient alternative form of transport for tourists and local travelers.
The ferry system that will be operating within the Lingayen Gulf can also be linked to other ports in the region, such as Currimao Port in Ilocos Norte and the ports of Subic and Manila.
The RDC and LGUs have yet to conduct a study to determine the project’s economic, financial, and technical viability and target period of implementation, Marina noted.
