MALAY, Aklan – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) with the Caticlan-Boracay Transport Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CBTMPC), said they were cooperating for the implementation of the phasing out of wooden boats not only in Boracay Island but all over the country.
PCG-Aklan head Lieutenant Commander Marlowe Acevedo said the memorandum came from the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).
“As soon as I received the memorandum from MARINA, I have been discussing this with the CBTMPC. The management is cooperating with the plan,” Acevedo said.
Wooden boats were used for transporting tourists and residents to and from Boracay and Caticlan in Malay, Aklan for several years.
Recently, the CBTMPC started acquiring few units of fiber glass boats.
Last Oct. 1, it enforced a price adjustment from P23 to P30 for both tourists and residents traversing Caticlan-Boracay and vice versa, adding that the price adjustment aims to raise fund for the acquisition of more fiber glass boats.
The transport cooperative and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan last February proposed to MARINA a five-year (2019-2023) gradual phase out period to comply with the policy./PN
