Del Rosario, French envoy discuss RORO project

MANILA, Philippines - Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario met with French Ambassador Thierry Borja de Mozota on Friday to discuss the roll-on/roll-off (RORO) project supposed to be undertaken by a French company.

Del Rosario explained to the ambassador that Eiffel-Matiere S.A.S Consortium, the supplier of the modular RORO ports that are to be built under the contract, and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) are working together for a deal that will be beneficial to both parties.

The French firm has agreed to the DOTC proposal to reconfigure the contract, and has issued a written commitment stopping the fabrication of the materials needed for the RORO projects.

In return, the Philippines will pay Eiffel-Matiere S.A.S. Consortium for deliveries.

Del Rosario said they are eyeing the completion of six RORO projects to be built by the French company.

The contract with Eiffel-Matiere was previously signed for the construction of modular RORO ports in 72 sites nationwide.

The Philippine government has decided to suspend the implementation of the RORO projects because of findings by a review committee concerning the projects’ costly technology, the RORO ports’ unsuitability to Philippine sea conditions, and concerns about the superfluity of the investment to be made for the projects.

A technical working group composed of experts from the DOTC, the Philippine Ports Authority and the Office of the Solicitor General has been formed to study the projects.

The French supplier and the DOTC are hopeful that the matter will be resolved before the year ends.