BY JOHNNY NOVERA
WHILE in Metro Manila, we decided to take advantage of our free time Tuesday last week to experience the River Ferry on the Pasig River.
The ferry service was introduced recently under the leadership of Francis Tolentino, chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), with the intention of providing alternative transport to commuters and save travel time from Makati to downtown Manila.
The traffic situation in Metro Manila has become unbearable, worsened by repairs or expansion of major roads, all done at the same time, including that of EDSA.
The ferry route starts at the river bank in Brgy. Guadalupe near the jeepney terminal to Pasig and just about 250 meters of the Guadalupe-Edsa MRT Terminal in the area.
We boarded the boat at noontime and left the station at 12:30 p.m. after the kapitan gave the passengers prior briefing.
He emphasized that if we have cameras, taking pictures of Malacañang and its vicinity on the river route is strictly prohibited. He did not explain who gave this tourist-unfriendly order.
There are two rows of iron seats on the boat with seven pairs per row, leaving an alley at the center. We had full seating capacity on this trip.
The boat was actually a speedboat with fiberglass body and powered by a strong engine that was lifted in and out of the water for cleaning when the debris got stuck to it.
In fact, aside from the regular stop at Sta. Mesa, Manila to unload some passengers, we had to stop also three times along the way for the crew to clean the floating basura of all kinds that got stuck to the boat’s propeller.
It took us one hour to reach the Terminal River Station at the foot of Escolta Bridge in downtown Manila. But without the stops to remove the debris on the propellers, we think the distance can be negotiated in half time or in just 30 minutes.
We wish MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino can invite Mayor Jojo Binay Jr. of Makati and Mayor Erap of Manila to schedule a joint river “tour” soon and see for themselves what we are talking about. They will see also the reasons behind the “no pictures” policy when passing Malacañang.
We think that we have succeeded better in cleaning up our river body in Iloilo. It will be great to introduce passenger boat rides, too, in the Iloilo River as a solution to our worsening traffic situation. (For comments or reactions, please e-mail tojnoveracompany@yahoo.com)/PN
