By Jel Santos
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the local government unit (LGU) of Pasig entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Wednesday to formalize the donation of two 57-seater ferry boats.
(Photo via PIA)
MMDA said the two ferry boats donated by the Pasig LGU---M/B Mutya ng Pasig 1 and 2--- are equipped with closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, overhead electric fans for ventilation, and a toilet.
MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim thanked the LGU for its donation, saying he really appreciates the gesture of Mayor Vico Sotto.
"The two boats donated to the Pasig River Ferry System (PRFS) by the City of Pasig surely a big help to continually give the best service to our passengers,” he said in a statement.
The mayor of Pasig, meantime, said he is optimistic that the boats that his LGU donated will help to entice more people to ride the ferry.
According to the MMDA , the average number of passengers riding the ferry daily is from 700 to 1, 000 since its re-launch in December 2019.
Frisco San Juan Jr., MMDA deputy chairman and PRFS head undersecretary, said that other LGUs and the Office of the President have vowed boat donations.
The Office of the President, he said, through the help of the President’s friends, and the Manila City government each pledged to donate two boats.
MMDA will procure four more boats to be added to the existing eight boat fleet, San Juan said.
Recently, MMDA announced that the ferry ride will remain free until the end of March.