Panay and Negros Islands will be connected by a new route opened by F.F. Cruz Shipping Corporation (FFCSC) through the ports located in Brgy. Manta-Angan in EB Magalona and Brgy. Bay-ang, Ajuy in Iloilo.
The missionary route was inaugurated on March 25 with a ceremony at EB Magalona port followed by an afternoon ceremony in Ajuy port attended by key personnel from the regional line agencies and local government units, Meylene Rosales, director of National Economic and Development Authority-6, said in a press release issued Friday, April 1.
This shorter roll-on,roll-off route with an estimated port-to-port transfer of less than one hour and 20 minutes offers more economical and predictable sailing compared to other available routes, Rosales said.
Aside from the local industrial producers and logistics companies, tourists traveling to various destinations in the region will also experience a more convenient journey, she added.
“What was once a dream has now become a symbol of success of the people of EB Magalona,” said Engr. Erwin Poniado, Municipal Planning and Development Officer of the town.
Ajuy Mayor Jett Rojas said that there is a need for the government to make things happen and help investors as it will lead to more taxes and employment of constituents.
In support of the new ro-ro route and the complementary developments in the area, the Regional Development Council 6 passed RDC Resolution No. 57, endorsing to the Department of Public Works and Highways and Department of Trade and Industry the construction of the Ajuy Industrial Road under the Roads Leveraging Linkages of industry and trade (ROLL IT) Convergence Program, the press release said.
The proposed road project includes the concreting/upgrading of JNR – Barangay Bay-ang Road and the construction of Bay-ang Coastal Road with seawall, it added.*