Arroyo lauds Marina for opening of 8 new RORO missionary routes

Former president and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Friday congratulated the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) after it announced the opening of eight new Roll-On/Roll-Off (RORO) missionary routes

Arroyo cited the Marina for its effort to promote greater connectivity and strengthen economic interactions of the various islands of the archipelago.

The RORO transportation system was initiated by Arroyo during her presidency in order to bolster economic activities in the region.

“I am glad that the Marina is working toward supporting the growth of trade and greater connectivity in the country. These new missionary routes will increase the efficiency of transportation and shipping which will ultimately spur growth in the regions,” Speaker Arroyo said.

The Marina made the announcement during the Oversight Committee on Transportation hearing spearheaded by Speaker Arroyo to check on the status of the RORO system, a project she started when she was President.

Vice Admiral Narciso Vingson Jr., Marina officer-in-charge, presented the new routes at the oversight meeting conducted in Hilongos, Leyte, earlier this week.

The eight new RORO missionary routes are:

1. Daanbantayan, Cebu to Calbayog City, Samar

2. Tabuelan, Cebu to Ajuy, Iloilo

3. Laoay, Bohol to Cagayan de Oro

4. San Juan, Batangas to Calapan, Oriental Mindoro

5. Iloilo City to Cuyo, Palawan

6. San Pascual, Burias Island, Masbate to Pasacao, Camarines Sur

7. San Andres, Quezon to Pasacao, Camarines Sur

8. Lucena, Quezon to San Fernando, Cebu

Vingson explained that being missionary routes, the proponent shipping operator will enjoy a fiveyear route exclusivity or protection of investment.

On top of this, the operator will be granted a 50 percent discount on the regular fees to process all applications and renewal of ship documents, licenses, certificates, and permits.

The establishment of the new routes, which were proposed by shipping operators, is done in support of the Road Roll-On/Roll-Off Terminal System (RRTS) as well as the priority program relating to the upgrading of domestic shipping. This is further in line with the development of the nautical highway under the 10-year maritime industry development plan (MIDP).

While the acquisition of a proponent shipping operator's Certificates of Public Convenience (CPCs) is being processed, the Marina will issue a letter approval to give the operator four months to start vessel operation on its proposed route.

The eight new industry-proposed missionary routes are in addition to the 19 missionary routes opened in January, 2019. By February, 2019, interest to ply the unserved routes flooded in as shipping operators submitted applications to serve seven of the 19 routes.

The remaining 12 missionary routes still open for prospective shipping operators are:

1. Basco, Batanes to Currimao, Ilocos Norte

2. San Juan, Batangas to Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro

3. Real, Quezon to Polillo Island, Quezon

4. Lucena, Quezon to Buyabod, Marinduque

5. Pantao, Albay to San Pascual, Masbate

6. Calbayog City, Samar to Cataingan, Masbate

7. Cuyo, Palawan to San Jose de Buenavista, Antique

8. Oslob, Cebu to Dumaguete, Negros Oriental

9. Punta Engano, Mactan Island, Cebu to Jetafe, Bohol

10. Poro, Camotes, Cebu to Isabel, Leyte

11. Lipata, Surigao del Norte to Dapa, Surigao del Norte

12. Siaton, Negros Oriental to Dipolog City

The Marina called on shipping operators to propose new RORO routes to expand the existing list.