Bataan explores using seaplanes, ferry boats for travel to Manila
ORION, Bataan – In their bid to make Bataan nearer Metro Manila, provincial officials headed by Gov. Abet S. Garcia are exploring the possibility of utilizing seaplanes, aside from Ferry boats, that can travel from Bataan to Manila in just 30 minutes.
Gov. Garcia, together with businessman Good Ilagan, just came from Japan to meet with seaplane builders to study the possibility of using seaplanes and additional ferry boats for travel from the province to Manila to serve the entire Central Luzon, said Hermosa Mayor Jopet Inton, who was also with the group of Garcia that visited Japan.
"We are exploring the possibility of using seaplanes that would serve as passenger planes from Bataan to Manila," Mayor Inton said.
Travel time for helicopters from this province to Manila is just 20 minutes, said Inton, himself a licensed commercial pilot.
Ilagan owns and operates the Camaya Coast and hotel, a world-class beach resort in Biaan, Mariveles town.
Only last week, the M/V XGC Express was officially launched, with Gov. Garcia, and mayors and other officials in attendance. The guests boarded the ferry boat as it roamed around this coastal town.
The ferry boat was presented by its owner, Goody Ilagan. Three ferry boats of Ilagan have been actually operating from Camaya coast to Manila.
Gov. Garcia said that the ferry boat company will start its operation from Orion port to Mall of Asia (MOA) via Manila Bay as soon as permits and other documents are completed.
"Talks for its operation are now being finalized and the ferry company will soon start service," said Garcia.
He said this is a bigger company and the ferry boats are faster and safer, travelling approximately only 45 minutes from Orion to MOA.