Increased gov’t support improves Pasig River Ferry Service

FILE: These are some of the boats that will be used to transport passengers along Pasig River. (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

MANILA — An official of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Monday said the relaunched Pasig River Ferry Service (PRFS) is likely to succeed due to the increased support of the government, both at the national and local level.

In an interview following the relaunching ceremony, MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim said budgetary constraints, among others, hampered operations of the PRFS but these have been addressed through the addition of new boats, equipment, and support from the government — from the local governments to Malacañang.

The MMDA and partner agencies relaunched the operations of the ferry service to promote the project as a viable alternative mass transportation system.

“Na-launch na noon, mayroon pagkukulang, so this time may (It was launched in the past, there were inadequacies, so this time there are) renewed efforts to relaunch this. At this time, malaki ‘yung suporta ng Malacañang sa proyektong ito (there’s great support from Malacañang for this project),” Lim said.

One of the major problems of the PRFS in the past, he said, was when water hyacinths, locally called “water lilies,” choke portions of the Pasig River.

The problem, which could damage the boats of the PRFS if not addressed, resulted in several suspension of operations in the past.

“Ngayon may mga harvesters na tayo na ginagamit. Nakita na niyo siguro ‘yung iba na nago-operate kanina, hina-harvest niya ‘yung mga water lily (We now have harvesters in operation. You might have seen that earlier, harvesting water lilies),” Lim said.

Aside from the procurement of new equipment, the existing stations of the PRFS are under renovation—with the MMDA eyeing the addition of several new stations and boats for the ferry service.

“Sa ngayon ‘yung mga existing na MMDA ferry ni-repair natin lahat. Nauna na ‘yung pahiram ni Mayor Vico (Victor Ma. Sotto) na dalawa, may isang 150-seater na nandiyan na, at marami pang darating (For now, all existing ferries of the MMDA have been repaired. We also already received the two boats loaned by Mayor Vico, there’s already one 150-seater vessel already here, with many more coming),” he added.

To extend its route, Lim said the MMDA may also start dredging operations in parts of the Pasig River that are too shallow for a mass transport vessel.

He added that the PRFS as a project has “unlimited potential”, saying it could later be extended to include stops along towns bordering the coast of Laguna de Bay.

“Eventually paabutin din natin ito hanggang sa mga lakeshore towns ng Laguna de Bay. So unlimited ‘yung mga pwede nating gawin para sa proyektong ito (we would extend this to lakeshore towns surrounding Laguna de Bay. So, this project has unlimited potential),” Lim said.

The ride at PRFS is free until January 31 next year.

It currently has seven vessels in operation, two 57-passenger capacity boats, three 36-passenger capacity boats, and two with a smaller capacity of 16 passengers.

It has 11 stations dotted along the coasts of the Pasig River and these are (from east to west): Pinagbuhatan, San Joaquin, Maybunga, Guadalupe, Valenzuela, Hulo, Lambingan, Sta. Ana, PUP, Lawton, and Escolta.

Launched on Sunday, the Cavite-Manila Ferry Service is also connected to the PRFS through Lawton Station—allowing the public to travel between the two regions free until next year with only one stop in between.