New P20-B passenger ferry system in the works

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will spend as much as P20 billion for its next brainchild project – a passenger ferry passing through Manila Bay, Pasig River and Laguna de Bay.

- ELIJAH FELICE ROSALES

The DOTr is gaining headway in its initiative to put up the Manila Bay-Pasig River-Laguna Lake (MAPALLA) Ferry System that will introduce another mode of transport in Metro Manila and Southern Tagalog.

Transportation Undersecretary Timothy John Batan said the DOTr would allocate up to P20 billion for the construction of ferry stations and procurement of electric-powered vessels.

“We are thinking of mobilizing P15 billion to P20 billion to put into a mega project. We are also thinking of an allelectric ferry fleet, with multiple stations,” he said.