Two-day Iloilo Ferry Terminal dry run starts

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=977841
• Wednesday, April 5, 2017

(PNA), MADE LOS SANTOS

ILOILO CITY, April 5 (PNA) -- Officials of the Province of Guimaras and City of Iloilo, with the Philippine Coast Guard-Iloilo City, spearhead Wednesday the start of the dry run operations of Iloilo Ferry Terminal in Parola, City Proper here.

Guimaras acting governor, Vice Governor John Edward Gando and Buenavista Mayor Eugene Reyes, and Iloilo City Administrator Hernando Galvez, ICUPAO head Jeck Conlu, TMTRO head Bob Foerster, among other City Hall officials observed the initial operations in the multi-million facility - from the dispensing of tickets, screening of luggage, signing manifesto of passengers to departure of pump boats plying the Iloilo City-Buenavista and vice-versa route.

The team also inspected the facilities, including the waiting area and the CR, berthing area, among others.

Gando said the dry run is intended to address problems in the operations like the berthing and docking during low tide, the queuing of passengers, among others.

"We'll see what will happen, and what we can do if there will be problems in the operations," Gando said.

The ferry terminal operation was stalled following a legal battle between the operator, DoubleDragon Properties, Inc. and the Province of Guimaras sometime in 2016.

Not consulted, the Province questioned in court the legality of the terminal, as well as some terms of the agreement like imposition of Php11 terminal fee, closure of Ortiz Wharf, safety of pumpboats and passengers, among others.

But the two parties came to an agreement just recently: passengers can use the ferry terminal for free for a period of 10 years and pumpboats plying Ortiz Wharf in Barangay Ortiz here to Jordan Wharf in Barangay Rizal, Jordan will not cease operations and will not be obliged to use the facility.

"We were not consulted before the project was implemented; but now, DoubleDragon seemed to have addressed our concerns," Gando said.

Gando said the use of ferry terminal for free is good only for 10 years. "DoubleDragon may or may not impose terminal fee after 10 years, but we assure Guimarasnons that the Provincial Government is always ready to back their cause," Gando stressed.

He clarified that the Province's decision will not prevent itself from filing a case against DD in case it imposes "exorbitant" terminal fee in the future.

Meanwhile, Galvez welcomed the decision of Guimaras to use the ferry terminal.

"We are happy and we appreciate the efforts of Guimaras for taking this opportunity to try the terminal, and see why the City Government built it in the first place. We are also thankful to the persons who were instrumental in the realization of the dry run," said Galvez.

Galvez said commuters, not only Guimarasnons are now assured of a facility that is safe, clean, and convenient.

"During rainy season, passengers will not be inconvenienced," Galvez added.

Reyes, on his part, welcomed the opening of ferry terminal as advantageous for Buenavista, one of the gateways to Guimaras.

"It will greatly impact the tourism of Buenavista and the whole of Guimaras. We are proud that tourists who will visit Buenavista and Guimaras experience convenient entry point, we can be proud of it, it's beautiful," Reyes said.

The PCG-Iloilo City led by Commander Ramil Palabrica initiated a meeting between the ferry terminal stakeholders last March 27.

In an interview, Palabrica enumerated the advantages of the facility like spacious waiting area, clean comfort rooms, x-ray scanners for safety and security, among others.

"With the dry run, we can see what needs to be improved in the ferry terminal operations and the facility itself," Palabrica said.

Palabrica said that per agreement, Jordan will stay in Ortiz but they can use the ferry terminal during bad weather.

The terminal is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. In case of typhoon and the trips are suspended, the passengers can use the facility to stay overnight.