📷 Rappler
IN what appears to be another ambitious project that would further bloat the country’s outstanding debt, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) hinted at the possibility of creating nautical highways for public transportation out of bodies of water encompassing Metro Manila and Calabarzon.
While the idea seemed “not so new,” Transportation Assistant Secretary Leo de Velez said that what makes the idea worth a look is the use of electric ferries as mode of transportation.
During the Asia and the Pacific Transport Forum, de Velez admitted that the DOTr has in fact started scouting for shipyards for the electric ferries, and studying the possible energy source for the electrification initiative.
When asked as to how the government would finance the project, the official said that the government is working on a partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under a Public Private Partnership (PPP).
“Some examples of what they have done in other countries is they have actually financed ship vessels. They did this also in Bangkok. The ADB lent the private company money to buy and build new electric ferries to serve the river. This is one of the possible areas that ADB is exploring,” de Velez added.
De Velez however did not delve on setbacks surrounding Pasig River which has been rendered as too shallow amid serious siltation for which boats could hardly traverse the entire stretch.
The Manila Bay for its part may not look feasible with massive reclamation projects in progress, leaving Laguna Lake as the only place worth the endeavor. (ANGEL F. JOSE)
