Boat operators award Arroyo for Ro-Ro efforts

Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo received an award yesterday from a group of ferryboat operators in the Visayas for her support in the development of the roll-on, roll-off industry in the country.

The Visayas Association of Ferryboat and Coastwise Service Operators Inc. (VAFCSO) and the Philippine Ro-Ro Operators Association (PROA) conferred the award on the former president at a hotel in Mandaue City yesterday.

In 2003, Arroyo issued Executive Order 170, which promoted the private sector’s participation in developing the country’s Ro-Ro Terminal System (RRTS), a network of terminals all over the country covered and linked by Ro-Ro vessels.

Two further EOs amended the order, both all were meant to support the Ro-Ro industry that resulted in lowered travel time and cost for passengers, according to VAFCSO President Alexander Cohon.

The EOs created the RRTS, also referred to as the Philippine Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH), a route that stretches 919 kilometers with three main lines in Eastern, Central, and Western Nautical Highways.

“The system reduced the usual travel to 17 hours to the different key cities, enhancing the accessibility of the prime tourist destinations, and minimizing the handling expenses of goods, all over the country,” an audio-video presentation of VAFCSO and PROA showed.

PROA president Lucio Lim Jr. said Arroyo’s award was “long overdue.” In turn, Arroyo, who expressed her gratitude for the two organizations, said SRNH is one of her administration’s legacies.

Meanwhile, House Deputy Speaker and Cebu Third District Representative Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday vowed to continue and renew the friendship and partnership between Cebu and the provinces of China that she had established when she was governor.

Along with other officers and members, Garcia took her oath yesterday as president of the Association for Philippines-China Understanding (APCU) Cebu Chapter before Arroyo.

APCU is a voluntary organization of Filipinos, Chinese Filipinos, Chinese and other nationalities who are committed to the strong and healthy relations between the Philippines and China that promotes peace, harmony and prosperity among their peoples.

When she was governor of Cebu, Garcia said, the province entered into unprecedented sisterhood agreements with Chinese provinces like Sichuan, Guangdong, Guangxi Zhuang, and Hainan.

“The challenge ahead is to continue. To renew a friendship that was tested by time and circumstances. To build friendship and partnership that will make a real and lasting impact on the lives of both our peoples,” Garcia said.