Arroyo launches new RORO route

CEBU, Philippines - President Gloria Arroyo yesterday graced the launching of the new RORO (roll-on roll-off) ferry route linking Samboan town in southern Cebu to Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte at the town’s San Sebastian Port.

Arroyo arrived in Samboan through a presidential chopper from Sibulan in Negros Oriental around 12:30 p.m. Samboan is located 150 kilometers away from Cebu City.

The new RORO link marks another milestone in the Strong Republic Nautical Highway, a priority program of the Arroyo administration that provides for easier transport of agricultural products from farm to market through RORO ports in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Under the new route, a Lite Shipping Corporation vessel will ply from Dapitan City to Samboan and vice versa.

Samboan Mayor Raymond Joseph Calderon said the new port and RORO link will spur more economic activities in the town, thereby providing more jobs.

Lite Shipping president Lucio Lim Jr. said the new route will mean faster and economical way of traveling to Dapitan.

Lim said that travel time from Dapitan City to City usually takes 11 to 12 hours. But with the new route, travel time will be cut to seven hours.

The new route is a major link merging the Central Nautical Highway to the last leg of the Western Seaboard Nautical highway under the Strong Republic Nautical Highway System.

Ongoing works at the San Sebastian Port include repair of existing concrete deck and the construction of a RORO ramp, two berth lamps, two conventional berths, and a parking area.

All works are being undertaken by the Cebu Ports Authority

The port has an area of approximately 920 square meters and is located some 500 meters from the Lite Shipping Wharf. -/LPM    (FREEMAN NEWS)