Duterte, Jokowi launch Davao-GenSan-Bitung RoRo route

President Rodrigo Duterte and his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo sent off on Sunday the first roll-on roll-off (RoRo) vessel that will travel between the cities of Davao and General Santos to Bitung, Indonesia.

While there have previously been routes between Mindanao and Indonesia, the launch of the Super Shuttle RoRo 12 marks the formal shipping trade route between the two countries.

Speaking at the send-off in Davao City, Duterte noted that the RoRo route was “one of the most important commitments” he made with Joko, when he visited Indonesia in September last year.

He pointed out that this “will significantly reduce shipping time of goods” between the two countries, from five weeks to two to three days.

He added that this “will be the first of many routes that will be formed for the international RoRo network, envisioned by fellow ASEAN leaders to provide greater accessibility and open more opportunities for our countries.”

“[This] will not only connect us to the rest of ASEAN, it will also physically integrate our respective archipelago with the rest of the region. We are hopeful that by opening new ports and exploring possible routes, we will stimulate trade, tourism, other areas of development among ASEAN member-states,” he added.

For his part, Jokowi thanked Duterte for “his extraordinary commitment” to making the route possible.

He said the RoRo route’s launch “is happening at a favorable time,” pointing out that the trade between the two countries has increased by 30 percent.

“The launching of the roll-on roll-off ocean transport service between Davao, General Santos, and Bitung is an important milestone,” he said.

“I hope that this new RoRo service between Davao, General Santos, and Bitung present new opportunities … May this shipping route stand as a symbol of friendship and partnership between our people.”

Dev’t outside capital cities

In his speech, Joko also praised Duterte for pushing for development in areas outside the Philippines’ capital.

The Indonesian president likened himself to the former Davao City mayor, saying he, too, was a local chief executive before taking the top post in his home country.

“I can very well imagine, Mr. President, how much this city means to you. And I can also very well imagine the citizens of Davao, how much this president means to you,” he said, getting applause in response.

“President Duterte, I know you care deeply for the areas of your proud country that are far from the capital. I, too, when I took office two and a half years ago, decided to address the imbalance in Indonesia … Today, much of our infrastructure program is focused on the outer region. We call it ‘building the nation from outside inward,’” he added.

“Ladies and gentlemen, President Duterte and I sincerely believe that people in the outward region are just as smart, are just as strong, are just as resourceful as the rich people in the capital. They only need one thing, and that is to be given a chance,” he went on. —ALG, GMA News