GMA reviving RORO system
After being abandoned by the Aquino administration the Roll-On, Roll-Off (RORO) system of transportation has been revived and has started to contribute immensely to economic progress albeit with a few hitches.
Former president and now Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who tapped RORO as a factor for economic growth, called for the convening of the oversight committee on transportation to tackle issues that has affected the RoRo system, particularly to make it more efficient in bringing down the prices of goods.
Notwithstanding the welcome news that seven new routes have been opened to expand the RORO system, Arroyo pushed for the lowering of service fees that appeared to be a drawback in achieving its economic goals.
With Arroyo leading the congressional group for the meeting, Rep. Cesar Sarmiento (Lone District, Catanduanes) presided the proceeding at the Social Hall of the Cebu Port Authority (CPA).
“The reason we put up the RORO system is we want to bring the cost of transporting food from Mindanao, where it’s plentiful, to Visayas and Luzon. And we hope that we’ll continue to reap [its] fruits,” Arroyo said.
During the hearing, it was revealed that except for those using 10-wheel trucks, the cost of transporting goods is more expensive through the RORO than the conventional methods.
Traders blamed various factors, including logistics, weighing methods, lack of reefer vans, and trucker fees.
According to them, exorbitant fees were being collected for the use of weighing scales.
Responding to the complaints, Arroyo asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to take over the operation of weighing scales since they have their weighing scales.
“We will try to have another hearing to find out if the DPWH can be the one to take over the weighing,” she said.
On the fees imposed by the truckers, Speaker Arroyo said another oversight committee hearing will be called to specifically tackle the issue.
She announced that a lot were tackled and accomplished by the Oversight Committee, including updates on the new routes that will be opened in areas without sea transport.
The panel had earlier discovered that there are several unserved routes in the RORO system.