MMDA to resume Pasig River ferry service April 28

MMDA tests its protoype ferry bus on Pasig River in its bid to revive the Pasig River ferry system. NIÑA CALLEJA/INQUIRER

The Metro Manila Council (MMC) has approved the resumption of the Pasig River ferry service on April 28, as a means to help relieve traffic congestion within Metro Manila. In a meeting of the MMC on Wednesday, nine Metro Manila mayors and the representatives of six others approved the proposal, as 15 major government infrastructure projects are scheduled to begin construction this year.

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

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.

According to the MMDA, 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 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.

With report by Niña Calleja