Pasig ferry starts April 28

It’s all systems go for the reopening of the Pasig River ferry system on April 28.

In a meeting of the Metro Manila Council (MMC) on Wednesday, nine Metro mayors and the representatives of six others approved the proposal to revive the ferry service as one of the solutions to the anticipated worsening traffic problem with the nearly-simultaneous implementation of 15 major government infrastructure projects.

The council, composed of the 17 mayors in the metropolis, is the policy-making body of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Among those present at the meeting presided over by MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino were Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, Marikina Mayor Del de Guzman, San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez, Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian, Malabon Mayor Lenlen Oreta, Pasig Mayor Maribel Eusebio, Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco, Pateros Mayor Joey Medina and Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista.

Together with the representatives of other local government units (LGUs), they pledged their full support for the ferry service program.

The MMDA said that on April 28, five ferry terminals in Sta. Ana, Sta. Mesa and Escolta in Manila; Pinagbuhatan in Pasig City and Guadalupe in Makati City will be open to the riding public. The initial schedule for the ferry service will be from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The MMDA hopes to eventually turn over the responsibility of maintaining the terminals along the Pasig River to LGUs. “This was part of the original agreement back in 2009. The LGUs may participate in the management of the terminals,” Tolentino told reporters.

The fare matrix for the ferry service has yet to be determined by the tripartite committee running the ferry system which is composed of the the MMDA, Department of Public Works and Highways and the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission.

Two weeks ago, the MMDA organized a test run as it converted its three tugboats into “bus-ferries” by loading a 40-seater passenger bus on each one.

The earlier goal of the MMDA, Tolentino said, was to spark the interest of the private sector in helping the government ease traffic by investing in the Pasig ferry service.

He told reporters that at least seven private firms have expressed interest in participating in the transport program although only four would be selected.