AS tourists continue to influx Island Garden City of Samal, Mayor Al David Uy bared that their seaports are experiencing congestion.
Uy said in a radio interview that for the past weeks, influx of tourists and vehicles coming in and out of the island had been noticable even on weekdays.
"Kung tan-awon nimo, medyo naa na gyud congestion ang pantalan tungod sa kadaghan (If you look at it, we are somewhat experiencing congestion due to influx)," the mayor said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.
He said he raised this concern to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for the city to utilize the old provincial ferry boat landing as an alternative dock spot. Uy, however, did not specify where it is located.
The mayor said that the strong current on the island side is also a considering factor as to why only a limited number of ports where boats can dock.
"Sa Villarica pud nga side, ang problema didto, daghang vanishing island na likay-likayan sa mga ferry boat kay basin ma-runaground sila didto. Mapansin nimo murag mutuyok sila'g layo tungod ana (In the Villarica side, our problem is the number of vanishing islands that our ferry boats avoid because they might runaground. If you noticed, our boats turnaround because of it)," Uy said,
He said the old ferry landing would be utilized as a special lane for emergency vehicles, especially those carrying perishable items.
The mayor said the City Council is also crafting an ordinance for a public private partnership (PPP) to augment more ferries traveling through the island.
"Ginahulat nako na mapasa ang PPP ordinance kay nagplano ang city og joint venture with any ferry company na mag-operate ta og ferry (We are awaiting the passage of the PPP ordinance because the city is planning a joint venture with any ferry company to operate)," Uy said.
This as the construction of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project (Davao-Samal Bridge) has not yet fully commenced.
The SIDC is a two-way four-lane 3.86-km bridge with the main bridge having a length of 1.62-km long.
The China-funded project is envisioned as a modern bridge that will connect the Samal Circumferential Road in Barangay Limao, Island Garden City of Samal to Davao City in between R. Castillo-Daang Maharlika junction.
The target completion of the Samal-Davao bridge is by the year 2027.
Currently, Maewess wharf located at Kilometer 11, Sasa, Davao City operates 24 hours a day, while DavSam wharf in Kilometer 13, beginning July 22, operates 24/7 from Friday to Monday, and on holidays and peak seasons. RGL