EXPANDING the country’s roll-on, roll-off (roro) services will benefit both passengers and cargo companies in the long term, former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said yesterday.
“It makes me happy that after 15 years since we launched our roro program, we recognize our Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) made a positive impact on the lives of the people,” Arroyo said.
Arroyo attended yesterday’s event in Mandaue City by the Philippine Roro Operators Association (PROA) and the Visayan Association of Ferryboat and Coastline Service Operators Inc. (VAFCSO).
The two groups cited the former president’s role in launching the 919-kilometer nautical highway in 2003 that connects the islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao through an inter-island vehicle ferrying system.
Also in attendance during the event held at the Bai Hotel were Deputy Speaker and Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu’s 3rd district, PROA President Lucio Lim Jr. and Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) administrator Rey Leonardo Guerrero.
The former president called on stakeholders, especially ship owners and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), to expand their routes and build more roads leading to it, respectively.
“You don’t only need the roro ports but also the roads between the roro ports,” she said.
Arroyo said she is confident that the SRNH will expand under the Duterte administration’s Build, Build, Build infrastructure program.
“I’m happy that the Department of Public Works and Highways is prioritizing our roads connecting our roro ports,” she said.