THE Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) will issue a permit to any interested party who will operate a shuttle ferry between Talisay City and the Mactan Economic Zone in Lapu-Lapu City, as well as Danao City and Lapu-Lapu City.
Marina 7 Director Glenn Cabanez said Republic Act 9295 liberalizes the policy on vessels’ entry into routes.
He said interested parties may apply for a certificate of public convenience (CPC) with Marina.
“Anybody can apply for CPA and can operate in any route because this industry has already been liberalized,” he said.
Marina Administrator Vicente Suazo Jr. said that once all the requirements are complete and in order, Marina will issue the CPC.
Cabanez and Suazo believe the two routes are viable compared to other routes between Cebu and other provinces.
A shuttle ferry service will also cut travel time between Talisay City and Lapu-Lapu City or from Danao City to Lapu-Lapu City by one hour, said Cebu Port Authority (CPA) General Manager Angelo Verdan.
Verdan said the CPA will issue to Talisay City Government a permit to operate the port in Barangay Tanke, which is under construction.
The P50-million project, initiated by Rep. Eduardo Gullas (Cebu, 1st district), is intended to service fishermen but with berthing spaces for roll-on-roll-off (Roro) vessels and ramps.
Gullas thinks the roro vessels can use the 167-meter long rock causeway or jetty with deck and roro ramps to ferry workers from southern Cebu to Lapu-Lapu City.
Verdan said the people of Mactan will also benefit from the shuttle ferry service if they work in southern Cebu. (EOB)
