Photo from MOTC
COTABATO CITY—Travelling between Cotabato City to Basilan Province will now be easier and more convenient for passengers starting April 25, 2023, as the Ministry of Transportation and Communication (MOTC) approved the opening of the new route through Roll-On/Roll-Off (RORO) vessel.
According to MOTC’s Bangsamoro Maritime Industry Authority (BMARINA), the route will traverse the Polloc Port, Cotabato City Port to Lamitan Port, Basilan Province, and vice-versa.
MOTC Minister Atty. Paisalin Tago underscored the significant impact of opening a new route for Bangsamoro people, particularly in boosting economic activities in the region.
“The new route will promote and strengthen the economic activities of the provinces of Maguindanao and Basilan,” he said.
Accordingly, the Board agreed to launch the opening of the new route on the said date as it will provide new and efficient transportation options and increase the productivity of the regional transportation system.
“Before its initial voyage and upon compliance with all necessary documents, BMARINA and the Philippine Coastguard (PCG) will conduct their inspection to ensure the vessel’s ‘seaworthiness’,” the minister added.
The initiative of opening the new route came after the pending application for Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) of MV Island Paradise, owned by Atty. Pherham Saiddi of Saiddi Agri-Farm and Trading, Inc. (SAFTI) with BMARINA.
BMARINA is the lead agency that is tasked to integrate the development, promotion, and regulation of the maritime industry in the BARMM region. (Johaira Sahidala/BIO with reports from MOTC)
