Manila-Bataan ferry service set to reopen

The Manila Bay ferry service from Manila to Bataan is set to be reopened, a report on "24 Oras" said Wednesday.

The ferry service will shorten the travel time from Metro Manila to Orion town from an average of three hours by bus or car to 45 minutes.

Bataan Governor Albert Garcia told GMA that the resumption of the ferry service will benefit the province's tourism and its trade, commerce and investment prospects.

"Malaking tulong sa ekonomiya ng Bataan," he said. "Number one, 'yung Orion yung magiging gateway so ang laki ng advantage nito sa town of Orion," he said.

At the moment the service only has one ferry, which underwent a test run recently. More ferries will be added once the permits and other pertinent documents are processed.

According to the report, the ferry can accommodate 108 passengers. The fare may cost around P800 for a one-way trip, but this is still expected to go down.

The ferry service from Manila to Orion was stopped six years ago. — John Ted Cordero/BM, GMA News