Administration after administration, the perennial traffic woes still baffle Filipino commuters.
Thus, the Department of Transportation will relaunch and improve the Manila Bay-Pasig River-Laguna Lake or MAPALLA Ferry System in hopes of finally easing the gridlock, especially in major thoroughfares in Metro Manila.
In partnership with the Public-Private Partnership Center, the project, after it faced headwinds in the last two decades, will be a priority transport infrastructure project under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.
The MAPALLA Ferry System aims to provide about 9.6 million commuters with an alternative mode of transport through the waterways of Metro Manila, Cavite, and Laguna.
According to the DoTr, the ferry stations will be more accessible and they will only use modern low-carbon high-capacity vessels.
The DoTr is currently holding public consultation activities where concerned citizens can provide their input, ideas, and concerns regarding the project.
The data gathered from this survey will be considered in the project’s ongoing feasibility study.
Last week, Transportation Officials met with the Mandaluyong City local government executives to discuss the project already proposed in 2012.
Based on its description posted on the PPPC website, the project will involve ferry system development that would traverse through Manila Bay, Pasig River, Marikina River, and Laguna Lake.
The private sector will help construct and develop the necessary infrastructure and associated facilities, including landing and passenger terminal facilities at selected stations; provision of carrier services in the form of watercraft, including its operation and maintenance.
Phase 1 of the project will cover the Pasig and Marikina Rivers, while Phase 2 will look into a possible extension of ferry services into Laguna Lake and Manila Bay.