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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider US, BARMM launch new RORO services in Mindanao

US, BARMM launch new RORO services in Mindanao

Published Apr 28, 2023 05:51 am
The government of the United States recently launched roll-on/roll-off (RORO) services in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to boost the local trade and investment in the island region. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) supported the regional government in its bid to launch a shipping service to link the Polloc Port in Parang, Maguindanao to Lamitan, Basilan. There will also be a ferry service that will cut the travel time between Cotabato and Zamboanga by at least six hours and reduce transportation costs by as much as 30 percent, according to the US Embassy in Manila. USAID assisted in the development of the BARMM RORO shipping service through training its officials and staff on infrastructure development and facilitating a series of multi-stakeholder workshops that enabled private sector support for maritime connectivity in the region. "Strengthening maritime trade routes and intermodal transport systems will open doors for more trade and investment in the region, including in the tourism industry," USAID Philippines Mission Director Ryan Washburn said in a recorded message on April 25, at the launching ceremony held at the Polloc Freeport and Economic Zone. "Additionally, this route will bring down transport cost of businesses by as much as 20 to 30 percent and reduce wastage of agricultural products that are inevitable if transported by land due to poor road conditions and connectivity," he added. For BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, the initiative is "a manifestation that the peace accord [between the Philippine government and BARMM] is succeeding." BARMM Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC) Minister Paisalin Tago said the first leg of the maritime connectivity network will pave the way for more commercial routes, including in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, and possibly extend beyond the Philippines' borders. An international shipping company is also exploring the inclusion of Polloc Port in an existing ASEAN RORO network that includes Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, he added.

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