Soon, ferry services across cities to promote tourism
DAGUPAN-ALAMINOS-SAN FERNANDO
THE cities of Dagupan, Alaminos and San Fernando are collaborating to set up a novel ferry system that will provide point-to-point service between and among them.
Dagupan City Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. announced that the ferry service was initiated by Mayor Hernani Braganza in order to hasten tourism and business activities in the provinces of Pangasinan and La Union.
Fernandez said Braganza, San Fernando City Mayor Pablo Ortega and himself have set up a technical working group to study the project that would mutually benefit the three participating cities.
“The ferry system will greatly enhance the tourism potentials of Alaminos, the shop and dine environment of Dagupan as well as travel to the regional capital in San Fernando City,” Fernandez told newsmen.
If one is from San Fernando, he can visit the Hundred Islands in Alaminos in the morning and before going back to his point of origin, he can drop by Dagupan and do business.
He said the project is going to be a tri-venture among the three cities and each one is going to provide their own passenger berths.
The technical working group is currently studying two types of ferries, a 30-seater and a 100-seater.
“Depending on the results of the study, we will lease or purchase the ferry service units in the Pasig River,” he said.
He said they are initially considering four units for the trial run and eventually work out a loan with the Development Bank of the Philippines for the full implementation of the project.
He said if the project proves to be successful, the three cities are going to unload their investments and will seek to privatize the project.
“We will just pioneer in this project and invite private sector to continue with it,” he said.
The ferry service is expected to cash in on foreign tourists who will be coming from Baguio who may board at the passenger berth in Dagupan or San Fernando on their way to the Hundred Islands.
He said it usually takes five hours for tourists from Baguio to reach the Hundred Islands. With the ferry system, the travel will just be only two hours.—LM
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