By Ben Rosario
Nineteen new routes of the Roll On-Roll Off have been added to the Roro system reportedly as a result of the House of Representatives oversight hearings on transportation initiated by former president and Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
House Speaker, Pampanga Representative and former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (JANSEN ROMERO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Director Marc Pascua of the Marine Industry Authority lauded Arroyo and the Lower House for the oversight initiative, saying that this has resulted in the opening of 19 new missionary Roro routes that are expected to improve the economy in the areas covered.
In a briefing held in Cebu and attended by Arroyo and a number of House members, Pascua said four of the 19 new routes have started operating. The 15 others are just awaiting the arrival of vessels that will service the new routes.
Pascual also disclosed that nine more new missionary routes will be offered based on the recommendation of the shipping industry.
It will be recalled that Arroyo tapped the Lower House’s oversight functions to determine if laws and existing projects are being properly implemented by the government.
The opening of the Roro system was initiated during Arroyo’s term as president.
The 19 new ports were presented during the Oversight hearings by the Marina. Speaker Arroyo pushed for the implementation of the new routes.
Speaker Arroyo visited Cebu Monday on her final sentimental journey as Speaker.
The former chief executive said she is happy that the Roro project has been revived by the present administration and that she is extremely delighted and 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.
'Since I'm ending my term as Speaker, I'd like to give a little recollection about the times when you helped me so much in my political career,” she said.