2 vessels to serve Mactan residents

Residents of Mactan Island will no longer get drowned in heavy traffic as they will have an alternative way of reaching their destinations in a faster and more convenient way.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza told reporters in a press conference that two passenger vessels named "Island Express" will soon operate on the shores of Barangay Ibo, where Island Central Mall (ICM) is located.

"Dako ni siya nga tabang kay ang mga tawo duna nay choices, either they go by land or by sea. Unya nindot ang gi-offer sa Island Express, duha kabuok to and from Pier 3 ngadto sa Mactan," Radaza said.

The mayor added that this additional mode of transportation will help in decongesting traffic in the city and Metro Cebu.

Eugene Eric Lim, CEOPresident of Topline Marina, reportedly said its operations will start on August 28.

Each vessel can carry about 325 passengers.

Radaza said the trips of these vessels will start from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m., with a total of 32 round trips a day.

"Every hour ang biyahe from 5 a.m.until 9 sa gabii. Every hour, mapuno or dili, mobiyahe gyud ni sila," Radaza said.

The fare will be P25 and travel time to and from the city is estimated to be around 30 to 40 minutes.

ICM Chief Executive Officer Edwin Lim assured that Island Express will be safe and will be a comfortable sea travel for its passengers.

At present, the city government has three existing wharves that cater to passengers. These are in Muelle Osmeña in Barangay Poblacion, Angasil Wharf in Barangay Agus, and the Hilton Wharf in Barangay Punta Engaño.

The wharves in Barangays Punta Engano and Agus caters to those Oponganons living in Olango Island, while the Muelle Osmeña ferries its passengers going to Cebu City and back in Lapu-Lapu City.

When asked if there will be additional vessels in the area, Radaza said there will be more of it soon.

"Puhon, giuna lang nila ang duha. Most probably, they have a plan mo-serve nasad sa other areas, most probably going north," Radaza said.