MARINA Press Release–

DAVAO CITY, PHILIPPINES — Starting today, 28 October 2018, the Davao-Manila passenger shipping route will be officially reopened to serve passengers who will travel from Mindanao going to Luzon (Davao-General Santos-Zamboanga-Iloilo-Manila) and vice versa.

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), led by outgoing administrator Rey Leonardo Guerrero, together with Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), which were both spearheaded by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade, has officially reopened the Davao-General Santos-Iloilo-Manila passengers shipping route wherein ferry operations will be reestablished and will be serving from Manila to Davao and vice versa.

Before the start of the launching, outgoing MARINA Administrator Guerrero and DOTr Secretary Tugade inspected the “MV St. Michael The Arcangel” as this will be the first passenger ship to serve the riding public after the reopening of the Davao-Manila passenger shipping route.

The reopening, which has been unavailable since 2011, is expected to provide safe, convenient, and comfortable means of transportation for passengers living in far-flung areas — interconnecting Luzon and Mindanao while giving passengers more travel options and lowering the prices of goods and commodities with the accesibility of freight containers from Davao to Manila and vice versa.

2GO Group Inc. will be responsible in providing shipping vessels to serve the route and bring back the access to affordable, safe, and fast travel to the Filipino riding public.

As part of the launching, DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade and 2Go Chairman Dennis Uy, spearheaded the ceremonial blessing by pressing the buzzer as a signal for start of the reopening.

The launching was also attended by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, DOTr Secretary Tugade, DOF Sec. Carlos Dominguez and other key officials from the government and the private sector.

Earlier today, PPA also led the launching of the new and improved Passenger Terminal Building in Sasa Wharf in the port of Davao, which will house modern amenities such as a pre-departure waiting area, screening areas for passengers and baggage, boarding gates, and clean comfort rooms.

 

 

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