MARINA Press Release
21 October 2018

 

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – As the single maritime administration in the Philippines that is responsible in establishing and prescribing routes, zones, or areas of operations of domestic ship operators, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) supports the reopening of passenger shipping operations to serve the Manila-Iloilo-Zamboanga-General Santos-Davao routes.

After the 2GO Group Inc. has submitted an application for the reopening of the identified Manila-Mindanao passenger ship routes, the MARINA has issued a special permit allowing the operation of a passenger ship of the Negros Navigation Company Inc., a holding company of the 2GO Group Inc., to initially serve the routes from 21-31 October 2018 to cater to passengers who are expected to flock at the port areas this coming Undas 2018. This is while the particular 2GO vessel that will officially serve the routes still undergo final repairs and while the shipping company waits for the result of the hearing before it is issued with its Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC).

The reopening of the Manila-Mindanao passenger ship routes will be a cheaper transport option for passengers, as a one-way air trip ticket from Manila bound for Davao City in Mindanao and vice versa amounts to approximately PhP 3,000 – PhP 5,000. Once operational, a sea trip ticket serving the identified Manila-Mindanao passenger ship routes, for example Manila – Davao, may be purchased for as low as PhP 2,600.

This initiative is in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s objective of providing a safe, convenient, and comfortable means of transportation for passengers living in far-flung areas.The MARINA, for its part, continues to work in order to bring more passenger shipping services to unserved coastal areas, islands, or regions in the country where sea transport is needed for the movement of people, goods, and services.