MARINA Press Release — 19 September 2018
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) fully supports the proposed establishment of a tri-city ferry system in Region 1.
The said sea transport system initiated by the Regional Development Council (RDC) Region 1 will link the cities of Dagupan and Alaminos in Pangasinan, and San Fernando in La Union.
“The MARINA welcomes this innovation. The proposed tri-city ferry system is an out of the box solution. Though it will directly compete with land transport, we can see that it can potentially maximize our sea lanes, particularly in the northern part of the country,” MARINA Domestic Shipping Service Director Sonia Malaluan said.
It will also will boost our local shipyards with the anticipated increase in newbuilding orders for the Tri-Ferry System.
In a recent meeting with RDC, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and local government units (LGUs) in Pangasinan and La Union, the MARINA pledged to provide assistance to the project. One of which is the conduct of a study to determine suitability of fast craft or waterbus/taxi operations in the region, in line with the agency’s ship modernization program.
The tri-city ferry system is a proposed solution to the heavy flow of road traffic in the said cities and envisioned to provide faster and more convenient alternative transport for local travelers and tourists.
The ferry system that will be operating within the Lingayen Gulf could also be linked to other ports in the region such as the Currimao Port in Ilocos Norte and the ports of Subic and Manila.
RDC and LGUs have yet to conduct a study to determine the project’s economic, financial and technical viability and target period of implementation.