PCCI exploring more RORO routes

More routes for regional roll-on, roll-off (RORO) vessels are being explored by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and its partners.

At present, the PCCI, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Business Advisory Council Philippines (ABAC-Philippines) and other business groups are in the process of looking at potential sites that can be used for the vessels.

“We want to develop the Mindanao-North Sulawesi route and the Batangas-China- Hanoi one,” said PCCI vice chairman Donald Dee at a briefing Friday, adding the PCCI’s counterparts in China “are amenable to the idea.”

The PCCI wants to develop the the Mindanao-North Sulawesi route, which was identified last year, to complement the existing Davao- Bitung, Indonesia route. The Davao- Bitung route, on the other hand, started operations last month but has yet to be officially inaugurated by the Philippine government.

Dee noted that a regional Ro-ro route allows for greater integration and facilitates free flow of goods and people.

But even with more routes, regional governments have to work on harmonizing customs procedures for faster processing, he pointed out.

The Philippines, along with the rest of the region, are preparing for economic integration slated for 2015, which entails harmonization of customs processes, tariffs, financial systems and transportation. — KBK, GMA News