The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) signed an agreement with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to enhance maritime safety and security in the Pasig River Ferry System operation.
Coast Guard commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan and MMDA acting chairman Don Artes presided over the signing ceremony in Pasig City last Tuesday.
Under the agreement, the PCG will inspect merchant ships and vessels, conduct emergency readiness, evaluations, coordinate aids to navigation, vessel traffic systems, maritime communications, and search and rescue facilities, provide aid to distressed persons and vessels, enforce laws for marine environment protection, and grant requests for assistance from other government agencies.
The MMDA, on the other hand, will continue to operate and maintain the Pasig River Ferry Service between Pinagbuhatan in Pasig City and Escolta in Manila, and use its rescue boats for disaster-related activities under its public safety mandate for Metro Manila commuters.
The ferry system, which covers terminals in Pinagbuhatan, and San Joaquin in Pasig City; Guadalupe and Valenzuela in Makati City; Hulo in Mandaluyong City; PUP Sta. Mesa, Sta. Ana, Lambingan, Lawton, Escolta, all in Manila, operates from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
The MMDA revived the Pasig River Ferry system program in 2014 as a means to decongest Metro Manila’s major roads. The ferries are aimed to boost Metro Manila’s tourism and can be used for disaster and rescue purposes as well.
The government stopped the Pasig River Ferry operations in 2011 following complaints from passengers about the long waiting time at the terminals and the river’s foul smell.
The MMDA and Coast Guard partnership is in line with the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development formed by President Marcos to address the urgent need to rehabilitate and enhance the quality of life along the Pasig River banks.
The Council, chaired by the secretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, will work with 13 member agencies to formulate a Pasig River Urban Development Plan and implement acoordinated and integrated rehabilitation of the Pasig Riverbanks system and nearby water systems.