Arroyo elated on continuity of RORO operations in Philippines

CEBU, Philippines — Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said she is happy that the roll-on, roll-off (RORO) projects have been revived by the present administration.

Speaking before the Philippine Coastwise Shipping Association induction of officers yesterday, Arroyo said she is honored to have helped in lowering the cost of goods, boosting tourism and facilitating travel around the country through the RORO System which she established when she was president in 2003.

There are currently 140 RORO routes all over the country servicing millions of passengers and cargo handlers.

"While we were saddened with the cancellation of some of the RORO projects in six years after my term as president ended, we now have a renewed vigor of our advocacy of further improving inter-island connectivity through RORO projects with the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte's revival of these projects," Arroyo said.

PCSA Chairman Lucio Lim Jr. said with the three different associations united as one under the banner of PCSA to further strengthen its advocacy in the development of a robust domestic shipping industry through mutually beneficial government and private sector cooperation.

The three shipping associations that merged into PCSA are the Philippine RORO Operators Association, Visayan Association of Ferry Boat and Coastwise Ship-owners Operators and United Trampers Association of the Philippines.

Lim said that with the merger of these three associations, the Cebu-based PCSA will now become the largest shipping association in the country that has more members and has the biggest total gross tonnage of ships combined.

The association has nominated Arroyo as their chairman emeritus in recognition if her unwavering support to the local shipping industry when she authorized the establishment of The Strong Republic RORO Nautical Highway.

Lucio added that the association's main purpose is primarily to foster goodwill, fair competition, mutual understanding and fellowship among members.

Lim added that it is also aimed to unify and organize ship owners and ship operators in the country for the promotion of a viable public policy framework to accelerate the modernization and development of the domestic shipping industry.

Lim added PCSA will promote among its members responsible ship ownership and adherence to the accepted standards of safety and service in domestic shipping operations.

The PCSA 2019-2020 officers include Lim (chairman), chief executive officer and president of Lite Shipping Corporation; Paul Rodriguez (President) of Super Shuttle Ferry; Benson Go (vice president for cargo shipping) of Seensam Shipping; Vicente Montenegro (vice president for passenger shipping) of Montenegro Shipping; Pio Serafin Fulache (treasurer) of Medallion Shipping and Teresa Abad (corporate secretary) of 2Go Group.

Elected as board of trustees aside from the said officers are Alexander Cohon of Lapu-lapu Shipping Lines, Arthur Kenneth Sy of Trans Asia Shipping Lines and Jose Emery Roble of Roble Shipping Lines. — GAN (FREEMAN)