Vol. XXI, No. 189 [ Business World Online ]
Monday, April 28, 2008 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
SORSOGON CITY — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will inaugurate today the Central Nautical Highway, which will mark the completion of the so-called Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH), an infrastructure that is expected to link the different islands of the country.
"The President is launching the Central Nautical Highway through a roll-on roll-off (RoRo) caravan that signifies the completion of the SRNH, which is part of her eight-point development agenda," said Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye.
In a chance interview over the weekend, Department of Transportation and Communication (DoTC) Undersecretary Elena Bautista said Mrs. Arroyo has directed her agency to implement the project, which is expected to cut transportation costs by almost half.
The Philippine Ports Authority and the Maritime Industry Authority will also help oversee the project’s operations.
Mrs. Arroyo will send off the Central Nautical Highway in Bulan, Sorsogon, one of the ports included in the infrastructure. Other ports are Masbate City; Cauayan, Masbate; Bogo, Cebu; Tubigon, Bohol; Jagna, Bohol; Mambajao, Camiguin; Benomi, Camiguin; and Balingoan, Misamis Oriental.
Mr. Bunye said the President and Cabinet members will join the Jagna-Mambajao leg of the RoRo on Tuesday for a Cabinet meeting that will tackle the proposed one-stop shop for housing development and means to help the food-poor areas in the country. — Alexis Douglas B. Romero
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