Kudat-Palawan ferry maiden voyage in April?
KUDAT: Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri treasurer Thomas Tsen welcomed the assurance made by neighbouring Palawan official that the sea link between Kudat and Palawan will push through in April.
He said a Philippine Government news agency quoted Palawan Provincial information chief Gil Acosta recently as saying that the maiden voyage of the Kudat-Palawan roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) ferry link service would push through next month after a delay due to Tropical Storm Basyang early February.
The news report, he said also reported that Acosta refuted a recent claim that the sea link was unlikely to start soon due to difficulties in documentation and permit being faced by Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation, the operator of FastCat.
“Contrary to the recent news that claimed it will not push through, it will push through. Our last schedule was canceled only because of our own hesitation when there was a tropical storm (Basyang) in Palawan. It’s a go for us,” Acosta was quoted in the news report as saying.
Thomas said Acosta also stated the ferry service that would link Palawan to Kudat was just currently sorting out “certain papers” to ensure that travel would be smooth when it finally leaves the port of Buliluyan, Bataraza town, next month.
“In fact, we are looking forward to it because our livelihood programs are tied to the KudatPalawan RoRo, particularly our goat-raising dispersal program due to demands for goat meat in Malaysia,” the formation chief added.
It is learned that next month, the RoRo ferry service will start with a test run that will be participated by local government officials to check on security and safety.
“The dry run will first happen for local government officials to check on the security of travel, and after that would be the maiden voyage with the media to see the ease of travel and propriety that it is really possible to go to Sabah.”
In terms of safety, the ferry service is well coordinated with the Philippine National Police Maritime Group, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other law enforcement agencies.
“Before we leave, we have to ensure security and safety because if not, one incident can end it all for us,” Acosta stressed.
Thomas, who is also the party’s Kudat chairman in welcoming the latest development, said the ferry service would surely help to level up the status of Kudat and upgrade the living standard of the people in the district as well as Sabah.
He strongly believed the realisation of the new sea route would surely enhance the relationship between Malaysia and the Philippines particularly the province of Palawan.
The Kudat-Palawan noble endeavour will also be beneficial to both parties especially in the tourism and trade sectors to name a few.
“I am happy to hear the assurance given by our friendly neighbour Palawan that the ferry service will finally push through in April... Thanks to Governor Jose Alvarez and his people,” Thomas said, adding that Palawan is considered one of the peaceful and environmentally friendly places in the Philippines.