Mayor Vico Sotto. INQUIRER file photo / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — Two newly procured boats are set to operate for the Pasig River ferry system in December this year, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto said Wednesday.
In a Facebook post, Sotto showcased one of two boats called, “M/B Mutya ng Pasig 1,” which accommodates 57 passengers.
Sotto said they are planning to coordinate with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the main operator of the ferry system, to help in managing the ferry service.
“MMDA ang nagpapatakbo ng Pasig River Ferry, kaso kulang ang barko (2 lang daw gumagana ngayon). Dahil dito, nakikipag-ugnayan ang #PasigCity sa MMDA para sa pagpaplano ng pagpapatakbo nito,” he said.
(MMDA is the one operating the Pasig River Ferry, but currently, only two boats work. With this, the Pasig City government will coordinate with MMDA to plan strategies in managing the system.)
Ayan na, malapit na sila!! 🛥🛥#PasigRiverFerry#UmaagosAngPagAsa@MMDA #TeamEffort pic.twitter.com/gnW8VYguP5
— Vico Sotto (@VicoSotto) November 12, 2019
According to the MMDA, the ferry system currently has 11 stations such as in Pinagbuhatan in Pasig City, San Joaquin in Pasig City and Guadalupe in Makati City.
The first trip starts from 7 a.m. from Pinagbuhatan to Guadalupe station and 6:30 a.m. from Guadalupe Station to Escolta Station.
The last trip is from 5:30 p.m. from Escolta Station to Guadalupe Station and 3:30 p.m. from Guadalupe Station to Pinagbuhatan Station.
To recall, Senator Sonny Angara asked the Duterte administration to activate 14 stations of the ferry system to provide commuters an alternative mode of public transportation in view of the heavy traffic in Metro Manila roads.