Local businesses credit FastCat for transport and economic gains
Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation (APFC) or FastCat has been making sea travel faster, easier and safer for Filipinos since 2002. The company owns and operates the Philippines’ first and only catamaran Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) ferries, and operates modernized ports and terminals in the eastern and western Philippine sea route.
In 2010, FastCat took on a re-fleeting program that added 30 new catamaran vessels and several new routes connecting different provinces to further aid both local trade and leisure travelers who see sea transport as a more economical and viable option than land travel. FastCat’s innovative efforts have helped establish strong and long-standing partnerships that have produced improvements and gains in the way many local businesses are run.
For a hundred years, Philtranco has been operating to provide transportation for people traveling to different areas of the country. “In our business, the RoRo facilities are very important,” shares VP of Operations Rogelio Domingo. “Before partnering with FastCat, we used to have a hard time crossing waters because of the poor vessel services. Waiting time was three to six hours, which was terrible for passengers.” He goes on to explain that when there are delays, their buses are unable to return on time, and this causes loss of business for Philtranco.
Since moving their business to FastCat, Philtranco has seen a huge improvement. Waiting time has been greatly reduced, facilities are comfortable and clean, and travel time has been cut down due to the speed of the vessels. “Passenger convenience was promoted,” adds Domingo. “From the point of embarkation to the pier, passengers go straight to the FastCat vessel. No hassle, no lines.” Moving forward, Philtranco hopes FastCat can help them reach farther provinces of the Philippines.
“Our business has been transporting consumer goods, food and non-food, and raw materials from Metro Manila to Western Visayas, with our base being in Panay, for 10 years already,” says Complete Logistics Control Inc. marketing manager Buddy Silva. Their company’s former RoRo provider would give them just four to five slots a day, docking in ports with heavy traffic. Some units would be left behind or stalled.
“In our business, turnover is important. The more and quicker we are able to deliver, the better.” That’s why when Silva’s company used FastCat, which was able to accommodate and provide them more slots, business improved significantly. Silva also greatly appreciates that FastCat offers convenience even for their payment options. “The online payment is very useful for us, kasi based kami sa Panay.” Add to that, transactions are quicker, according to him.
FastCat gives exceptional service to all its passengers. Fedelin Manalon, a banana dealer at the Alabang Public Market is a believer of FastCat. To ensure his products make it safe and on time, Manalon uses FastCat to get his trucks through the long journey from Bulalacao, Roxas.
He says that the first thing he noticed about the ferry company is that they’re fast and efficient, and the process is orderly. “Maganda ang patakaran nila. Naging priority
kami sa FastCat,” Manalon shares, noting that there is a lot of care given to all the passengers and cargo on board.
With all its ferries targeted to be completed by 2020, FastCat is poised to support even more local businesses, in line with one of its main missions. As APFC chairman Christopher Pastrana says, “We want every Filipino to enjoy a ‘ferry’ safe, ‘ferry’ fast, and ‘ferry’ convenient trip.” New routes and more vessels only mean there will be more businesses and travelers who can benefit from the safety, speed, and convenience that the innovative ferry company provides.