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A new roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) route between Cotabato City and Basilan will open on April 25, 2023 following approval by the Bangsamoro Maritime Industry Authority (BMARINA)
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The route will link up Polloc port/Cotabato City port with Lamitan port in Basilan and vice versa
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The BMARINA board agreed to launch the new route on April 25 as it will provide new and efficient transportation options and increase productivity of the regional transportation system
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The opening of the new route comes as an application for Certificate of Public Convenience of MV Island Paradise of Saiddi Agri-Farm and Trading Inc. is pending with BMARINA
The Bangsamoro Maritime Industry Authority (BMARINA) approved the opening of a new roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) route between Cotabato City and Basilan starting April 25, 2023.
The route, which will connect Polloc port/Cotabato City port to Lamitan port on Basilan Island and vice versa, was approved in BMARINA board meeting on April 13, the Bangsamoro Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) said.
MOTC Minister Paisalin Tago underscored the impact of the route opening on the lives of the Bangsamoro people, particularly the economic boost it will provide the region. BMARINA is an agency under MOTC.
“The new route will promote and strengthen the economic activities of the provinces of Maguindanao and Basilan,” Tago said in a statement.
The initiative comes as an application for a Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) for MV Island Paradise, owned by lawyer Pherham Saiddi of Saiddi Agri-Farm and Trading Inc., is awaiting approval by BMARINA.
The BMARINA Board agreed to launch the new route on April 25 as it will provide new and efficient transportation options and increase the productivity of the regional transportation system.
Before the initial voyage on the route and upon compliance with all documents, BMARINA and the Philippine Coast Guard will conduct an inspection to ensure the vessel’s seaworthiness.
BMARINA is the lead agency tasked to integrate the development, promotion, and regulation of the maritime industry in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The Department of Transportation and its attached agencies have been transferring the management and operations of offices and facilities in BARMM to their counterparts in the Bangsamoro government. This is pursuant to Republic Act No. 11054, also known as the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which states that all offices and premises belonging to BARMM should be turned over to the Bangsamoro government.
BARMM, the only region with its own government, consists of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.
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 approved the opening of a new roll-on/roll-off route between Cotabato City and Basilan starting April 25, 2023.){kind=link}