MARAWI CITY—Bangsamoro Government’s Ministry of Transportation and Communication (MOTC) opened Wednesday the new ‘friendship routes’ or the inter-regional routes touching BARMM at Rizal Park in this city.
The new friendship routes are as follows:
- Laguindingan Airport Terminal, Misamis Oriental – Marawi City, Lanao del Sur
- Iligan City, Lanao del Norte – Marawi City, Lanao del Sur
- Davao City, Davao del Sur – Marawi City, Lanao del Sur via Kalilangan, Talakag,
Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City
- Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur – Marawi City, Lanao del Sur
- General Santos City – Dipolog City via Cotabato
This came after a series of meetings between Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) – Central Office and MOTC, thru its Bangsamoro Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (BLTFRB), to address concerns pertaining to the identification of inter- regional routes in its neighbor regions which require urgent opening.
The opening of new friendship routes aims to help the displaced families return to Marawi City, boost the economic, commercial activity and rehabilitation of the area by promoting connectivity between neighboring regions.
The inter-regional routes operating in BARMM consist of 27 public utility jeepneys (PUJs) for Iligan City–Marawi City which was awarded to MSU-Marawi Iligan Transport Services Corporation; 15 public utility buses (PUBs) for Davao City–Marawi City via Kalilangan, Talakag, Cagayan de Oro City, awarded to Mindanao Star Bus Transport Inc.; and 15 PUBs for General Santos City–Dipolog City, awarded to Cotabato of Rural Transit Mindanao, Inc.
The activity is one of the priorities of the Bangsamoro Government where it demonstrates the perseverance of the administration to accelerate the development of Marawi City as well as the neighboring towns.
“The launching today of the friendship routes to and from Marawi is a concrete manifestation of the seriousness of our commitment to helping in Marawi’s rehabilitation,” said BARMM Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim in a message delivered by his representative.
“The friendship routes will bring back normalcy and stimulate commerce, something in which our brothers and sisters in Marawi excel,” Ebrahim remarked.
Meanwhile, Minister of Transportation and Communication Dickson P. Hermoso stated that the Bangsamoro Government has many more steps for the continuous development of the autonomous region.
“BARMM is doing a lot now through its ministries with the legislators so that we can boost and cultivate [socio-economic aspect] and this includes the launching of inter-regional routes that have been opened here in Marawi,” Hermoso said.
LTFRB Chairman Atty. Martin B. Delgara III stressed in his message that they will continue to serve the people, particularly in providing convenient transportation.
“Our enthusiasm at the first day of this administration [July 01, 2016] has the same level of enthusiasm to move forward on the fundamental change in the country particularly in Mindanao, and much more particularly as shown by what is being done here after the Marawi siege. We continue to do the work that we need to bring about peace and development in this place,” Atty. Delgara III said.
Meanwhile, Marawi City Mayor Atty. Majul Gandamra said, “these inter-regional routes will help Marawi rehabilitation, it can boost tourism and economic potential, and [also] in terms of delivering products outside and inside the City.”
Also present at the event were Lanao del Sur Vice Governor Mohammad Khalid R. Adiong, Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Maria Belen – Sunga Acosta, TFBM Field Office Manager – DHSUD ASec. Felix J. Castro Jr., LTFRB RFRO-XI Regional Director Nonito A. Llanos III, LTFRB Executive Director Tina Cassion, LTFRB BARMM Regional Director Kaizer Nasilin, and Official Representative of the Davao City Mayor’s Office Aisa Sumanggibo Saumay Lao Usop, Al Hadja.
Johaira B. Sahidala/BIO
