Pasig River Ferry Service resumes short distance trips

Pasig River ferry service. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Pasig River Ferry Service (PRFS) resumed its short distance trips from Pinagbuhatan in Pasig to Sta. Ana in Manila on Thursday, after ferry operations were suspended for a few days because of water hyacinths that blocked portions of the Pasig River.

“PRFS today announces the resumption of its operations after being suspended for a few days due to water hyacinths. The PRFS will operate in short distance trips from Pinagbuhatan in Pasig to Sta. Ana in Manila,” the management of the ferry service announced in an advisory.

According to PRFS, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority regularly conducts clean-up activities to clear the river of water hyacinths and other waste through a trash skimmer, a trash boat, and a trash trap.

The PRFS reopened on August 3 after its operations were temporarily suspended in March due to the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine. Ferry rides are still free of charge although passenger capacity is limited to 50 percent in accordance with physical distancing measures imposed to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).