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By Rommel C. Lontayao, Reporter
SENSING the possibility of having
more tourists in the country thru additional cruises, the Department
of Tourism has assured its support for Metrostar Ferry Inc. (Metrostar),
which currently transports travelers between the mall of Asia (MOA)
in Pasay City and Cavite City.
“Metrostar’s cruises and
commuter services have strategically opened up the tourism
potentials of both the Manila Bay area and Cavite City, and have
made travel more convenient for visitors and locals alike. We
appreciate their intention of offering more routes to nearby
destinations,” said Tourism Secretary Ace Durano.
Metrostar President Restie Bicomong
revealed that their company has lined up a series of expansion
programs starting this year, which include interconnecting with the
Pasig River Ferry, and plying the route from the MOA terminal to
Orion, Bataan.
The company was invited by the
Department of Transportation and Communications and the Pasig River
Rehabilitation Commission to ply Pasig River and dock at the Plaza
Mexico, Intramuros terminal, a plan that will open up water transfer
between Pasig and Cavite City.
The new MOA-Bataan service is
expected to shorten travel time from Manila to the famed former
military stronghold from around four hours to one hour and 20
minutes.
Metrostar is also considering
possibilities of opening other routes from its MOA terminal such as
a 45-minute trip to Navotas, an hour and 45 minutes to Hagonoy,
Bulacan, and an hour and 40-minutes to Guagua, Pampanga.
Metrostar has become a viable
transportation alternative to traffic-congested roads to Cavite
since its maiden voyage in July 2007.
The Metrostar Manila Bay leisure
cruises offers daytime and evening tours, which include an
introduction to the area’s history and viewing of the major sights
in the metropolis.
Passenger terminals are located
at the MOA complex fronting Manila Bay, beside the Shrine of Jesus
Church, and at the port of Cavite City, behind the municipal hall.
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