House panel eyed to look into RoRo projects

HOUSE Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will convene an oversight committee in the House of Representatives that will look into the status of the Roll-On-Roll-Off (RoRo) transport system in the country and on how to revive the RoRo projects that were cancelled by the Aquino administration.

Arroyo made the statement during her visit to Bacolod on Friday, January 18, for the 11th anniversary of the Bacolod-Silay airport, which was built and inaugurated during her stint as President in 2007.

Arroyo said she was sad upon hearing that the administration of former President Benigno Aquino III discontinued the rest of the RoRo projects approved during her administration.

“We built many RoRo ports all over the country but mostly in the Visayas and I was so sad to hear a few years ago that the administration after mine discontinued the rest of the RoRo port projects,” she said.

“When I go back to Manila, I am going to convene the oversight committee for the RoRo because with the help of the PPA (Philippine Ports Authority) and the DOTr (Department o Transportation) to compare the old ADB (Asian Development Bank) study with what are the projects that had been canceled and see what should be revived,” Arroyo added.

In 2003, Arroyo spearheaded the creation of the Road RoRo Transport System, a project designed to carry rolling stock cargo that does not require cranes for loading.

The system was part of the 919-kilometer Strong Republic Nautical Highway that connected the major islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao through an integrated network of highway and vehicular ferry routes.

The project was one of the Arroyo administration’s priority programs to ensure the speedy movement of goods and people and to boost domestic tourism and trade.

Arroyo, after citing the importance of the RoRo transport system in travel, trade and tourism, said she is happy that the RoRo system is now being revitalized by the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

State-run Philippine Ports Authority earlier said it is reviving the RoRo port system in response to the request of the private sector and the RORO operators to improve port facilities. (Keith Calayag/SunStar Philippines)

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