- CHERYL G. CRUZ
A new Roll On, Roll Off route will connect northern Panay and northern Negros, via the Brgy. Manta-angan Port in EB Magalona, Negros Occidental, with the opening ceremony set on March 25.
The F.F. Cruz Shipping Corporation, a domestic shipping company accredited by the Maritime Industry Authority and based in Lapaz, Iloilo, said it will operate the route via MV Felipe 1, and aims to “relieve the growing congestion at the domestic ports in Iloilo City and Dumangas but also to address the growing cargo and passenger traffic coming from and going to northern areas of Panay and Negros.”
The company told the Negros NOW Daily Sunday that they chose EB Magalona because of the short distance between Manta-angan and Bay-ang ports, at nine miles only compared to the 17 miles Dumangas to Bredco distance.
The usual sailing time for RORO vessels will be reduced to only one hour and 20 minutes compared to the present travel time of two hours and 20 minutes between Iloilo and Bacolod City, the company said on its website.
The Manta-angan Port is near sugar centrals, like the Victorias Milling and Sagay mills and is 28 kilometers away from Bacolod City. The Bay-Ang Port is close to tourist places, such as Isla Gigantes, Sicogon, and Boracay via the Dacuton-Dumarao Road, Roxas, Capiz and Caticlan, Malay in Aklan, it added.
The company said Negros Occidental and Iloilo officials have been invited to the opening ceremony on March 25. | CGC
