The government is optimistic that the Pasig River Ferry Service could help alleviate traffic problems in Metro Manila.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., however, said this could only be realized once it is fully utilized as an alternative transportation system in the National Capital Region.
Latest reports showed there was an increased ridership of the ferry service, reaching 240,000 commuters using the alternative mode of transportation.
The ferry route was designed to cut the point-to-point travel time to just an hour instead of the usual three hours via land transport mode.
Abalos admitted that more works are needed especially in the implementation of the Pasig River Urban Development Project.
“Walk, jog, from end to end, that was the big thing. But we still have a lot to do here,” said Abalos after he and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Don Artes made a visit to the site.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently signed Executive Order 35, which created the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development (IAC-PRUD).
The IAC-PRUD was primarily tasked to “facilitate and ensure the full rehabilitation of the banks along the Pasig River water system in order to provide alternative transportation, propel economic opportunities, and boost tourism activities.”
The DILG is one of the 13 member agencies of the said council chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and vice-chaired by the MMDA chairperson.
In line with this project, Abalos assured that the recurring problem of illegal garbage and chemical disposal will also be addressed by focusing on projects that maintain the river’s cleanliness.
Artes, on his part, said that there are existing plans to increase the availability of boats and add more stations along the Pasig-Manila route.
“This year, we will add more boats. Right now, we have fifteen boats, we will add three to four more this year. We also have three stations that will hopefully be opened this year,” Artes said.