MMDA, PCG sign pact for Pasig River Ferry Service safety

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) are teaming up to improve the safety of the Pasig River Ferry Service, ensuring passengers have a dependable and pleasant commute.

The two agencies signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Tuesday, November 7, in a simple ceremony at the MMDA Office in Pasig City, according to the PCG in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

Officials of the Philippine Coast Guard and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority sign a memorandum of agreement to boost the security of the Pasig River Ferry Service and promote maritime safety at the MMDA Office in Pasig City on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Photo courtesy of MMDA

The MOA aims to promote maritime security as it is anchored on Executive Order No. 35, or the “Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development, the PCG also said.

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Under the pact, the PCG’s tasks include:

• Inspect all merchant ships and vessels, including but not limited to inspections before departure to guarantee and enforce compliance with safety standards, rules, and regulations
• Conduct emergency readiness evaluation on merchant marine vessels
• Coordinate, develop, establish, maintain, and operate aids to navigation, vessel traffic system, maritime communications, as well as search and rescue facilities
• Aid persons and vessels in distress and search and rescue in marine accidents
• Enforce laws and promulgate and administer rules and regulations that will protect the marine environment and resources from offshore sources of pollution
• Grant requests for assistance from other government agencies in the performance of their functions given that it is within its capabilities and consistent with its mandate.

In a separate social media post, the MMDA said that the objective of its partnership with the PCG is to enhance the river ferry service.

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MMDA will continue its administrative and clerical responsibilities for the river ferry operation based on the agreement.

“Maigting na koordinasyon at kooperasyon sa hanay ng dalawang ahensiya ang naging sentro ng napagkasunduan sa layuning mas lalo pang mapaganda ang serbisyo ng river ferry,” it said.

(Strong coordination and cooperation among the two agencies became the center of the agreement to improve the river ferry service further.)