Pasig River Ferry Service to reopen; rides still free

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) plans to reopen the Pasig River Ferry Service (PRFS) to give commuters traveling between the western and eastern parts of the metropolis an alternative way to get to their destinations.

MMDA Chair Danilo Lim said the PRFS was preparing “to operate soon, compliant with the physical distancing policy and other health protocols to ensure the safety of its passengers.”

Once the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases had approved the guidelines for the resumption of its services, Lim said ferry passengers would continue to enjoy free rides.

The PRFS fleet currently has 11 ferry boats with varying passenger capacities, the latest a 55-seater donation from Philippine Ecological Systems Corp., a waste management services contractor.

The new vessel, M/B Phileco, will be used in transporting passengers and ferry tours in coordination with the Department of Tourism.

During the turnover ceremony, Lim said the MMDA was planning to put up additional stations in Marikina City, even all the way to coastal towns in Laguna de Bay.

Several local government units and private companies had pledged to donate more ferry boats to the MMDA.

Earlier this year, it received two 57-seater boats from Pasig City and two 150-seater vessels from Dito Telecommunity.

From January to March, the MMDA was offering free rides for the ferry boat service to attract more commuters, following a directive from the President.