TO help solve the traffic problem in Metro Cebu, firms that will engage in ferry boat transport will gain immediate approval from the Cebu Port Authority (CPA), a top official assured.
CPA General Manager Angelo Verdan said they already approved two vessels of Topline Corp. to ply between Pier 3 in Cebu City and Muelle Osmeña in Lapu-Lapu City. It will operate alternately with Metro Ferry Corp.
Water Bus Corp. also applied to operate vessels between Pier 3 and Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City to cater to workers at the Mactan Economic Zone, who are always stuck in heavy traffic in Mandaue City.
Verdan said Water Bus also wants to operate between Pier 1 and Argao, Cebu, and between Pier 3 and Oslob, Cebu, due to requests by foreign tourists who claim they are always delayed because of heavy traffic along the City of Naga, Minglanilla and Talisay City.
He added that even private firms like Plantation Bay and J Park Hotel are concerned about their employees. Plantation Bay, which operates several small vessels for island hopping, now travels twice between the firm and Pier 3 for their workers.
Verdan said the J Park management is also applying to ply small vessels to Pier 3 just for their workers.
“We can also grant a permit for a vessel that will ply between Cebu City and Danao City to solve the traffic problem in Mandaue City, Consolacion and Liloan,” Verdan said. (EOB)