Tri-ferry system proposed for Dagupan, Alaminos, San Fernando

DAGUPAN CITY – Mayor Belen T. Fernandez and Alaminos City Mayor Arthur Celeste joined a meeting with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) – Region I at CSI Stadia on June 14, to discuss plans for a Tri-City Tourism Promotions Program.

A ferry boat in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro.

Also present were Assistant Secretary – Regional Development Office Mercedita Sombilla and Assistant Regional Director Donald James Gawi of NEDA, DOT Regional Director Martin Valera, Engr. Roland Suni of the City Assessor’s Office and members of the City Planning and Development Office headed by Engr. Josephine Corpuz.

Mayor Hermenegildo Gualberto of San Fernando City, who was unable to attend the meeting, was represented by their OIC City Planning Officer in that meeting.

With the three cities triangulating the Lingayen Gulf, the initiative aims to study the possibility of introducing ferry services to the tri-cities and how it would boost the tourism between them. 

The program’s study also aims to encourage travel movements and to link tourism resources and activities within the areas.

The tri-ferry system is a proposed solution that would help decongest the heavy flow of traffic found in the principal cities, which are all connected by their shared road networks.

Feasibility studies will be conducted to assess the likelihood of establishing a tri-ferry system between the cities, with NEDA funding the studies.

After a fruitful dialogue, both Mayor Fernandez and Mayor Celeste expressed their support for the initiative.

Celeste said:  “We have the potential to make this possible. The most important thing for us to do in the meantime is to conduct feasibility studies.”

Meanwhile, Mayor Fernandez disclosed that that tri-ferry system can help solve the national government’s problem in terms of mobility. She also added that the implementation of the initiative may be possible now due to the advancements brought by time.

“This was a vision ten years ago. Maybe it was not applicable before, but this time it could work. I hope it could be implemented this time because the times have changed,” said Fernandez. (Verdelle De Vera/CIO)