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Angara bats for Pasig River ferry system to aid in easing metro traffic


Senator Sonny Angara on Sunday suggested that the Pasig River ferry system be developed to aid in easing the worsening traffic situation in Metro Manila.

In a statement, Angara said he sees the Pasig River ferry system as one alternative to the big-ticket infrastructure projects such as the Skyway Extension, MRT and LRT line expansions and rehabilitation of the Philippine National Railways aimed at decongesting Metro Manila traffic.

"Unlike the road infrastructure, which entails massive disruptions to traffic and other issues such as road right of way, the Pasig River ferry project simply involves constructing or refurbishing the stations and purchasing the vessels," he said.

"Of course some dredging has to be done to ensure the ferries will be able to traverse the entire stretch of the Pasig River without issue, but I’m confident the Department of Public Works and Highways has the capability to do this," he added.

Currently, there are 14 ferry stations along the banks of Pasig River, Angara said, but only 11 are operational. The ferry line can carry passengers from Pasig to Mandaluyong, Makati and Manila.

Nine passengers boats are operational at present, which run twice daily.

"Improving ridership is definitely a challenge, but one that can easily be addressed by ensuring that the ferry system will be able to operate reliably and consistently. Passengers need to know that the ferry will arrive on time and that they will get to their destinations on schedule," Angara said.

"Eventually, we have to ensure passenger access to the ferry stations. This means the riders should be able to get to and from the other modes of transport such as the MRT and LRT stations and bus stops," he added.

Angara urged his fellow public servants to exert all efforts to ease the burden of the commuting public in going to their destinations around Metro manila.

"We need to get this done right away if we want to ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila. Many of the major infrastructure projects will not be completed until after the Duterte administration. Let’s come up with ways to provide relief to our commuters at an earlier time," he said. —Erwin Colcol/KG, GMA News

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