Aurora province signs ro-ro support deal
By Riza T. Olchondra
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:18:00 03/05/2008
Filed Under: Road Transport, Waterway & Maritime Transport
In a move to open roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) services in the northeastern Luzon corridor, state-owned NDC Maritime Leasing Corp. has agreed to provide technical support to the provincial government of Aurora, northeast of Manila, when it links its missionary ports.
NDC Maritime Leasing signed the agreement with the Northeastern Luzon Pacific Coastal Service Inc. (NLPCSI), a corporation formed by the provinces of Aurora, Quezon, Isabela and Cagayan to provide ro-ro transport service.
NLPCSI will kick off operations by putting up a ro-ro transport system that will initially link the Dingalan-Baler-Casiguran missionary route in Aurora. This route will later be connected to ports in Quezon, Isabela and Cagayan.
The Dingalan port, which forms part of the Northeastern Luzon Coastal Service and recently inaugurated by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, is ready to accommodate ro-ro vessels.
The Northeastern Luzon Corridor estimates that the linking of these missionary routes will offer viable transportation for 24,000 passengers and 30,000 metric tons of agricultural products for shipment to various destinations.
The provincial government of Aurora, under Governor Bellaflor Angara Castillo, said in a statement that the ro-ro transport system is a key development project offering opportunities not only for Aurora but also for provinces within the Northeastern Luzon Corridor.
NDC Maritime Leasing president and chief executive Agustin Bengzon described the NLPCSI as a good example of an initiative of local government units in facilitating growth in underserved communities.
Aurora is being primed as an ecotourism destination in northeastern Luzon, with investment opportunities in transport, ecotourism, agriculture, utilities, infrastructure, wood export and marine culture.
To address the influx of investors looking for a venue to grow their businesses, the Aurora Special Economic Zone was established in Casiguran in 2007 by virtue of Republic Act 9490.
Aurora is famous for its waterfalls, unspoiled beaches and its nine-foot-high waves and five-meter barrels in Cemento Reef, attracting surfers from abroad. President Manual L. Quezon maintained a home in Aurora, now a historical landmark. With editing by INQUIRER.net
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