DAVAO CITY — After decades of waiting, finally, the maiden voyage of a roll-on-roll-off vessel from Polloc Port in Cotabato City docked at the port of Lamitan City in Basilan province on Wednesday morning.
The MV Island Paradise was loaded with goods and other products when it docked on a sunny Wednesday at the modern Lamitan City port after sailing overnight from Polloc port in Cotabato City.
Lamitan City Mayor Roderick Furigay in a message read by City Administrator Maria Candelaria Bisal stressed “The arrival of the maiden voyage truly gives flesh that Lamitan City is the economic Corridor of Basilan Province.”
The city’s port is equipped with modern facilities.
In a press statement, Basilan Governor Jim Salliman said that the activity is another breakthrough in the transportation sector of his province “The inaugural voyage marks the milestone in the economic endeavor of Lamitan City and Basilan Province in general, as we unload and later today load goods and products for our markets and our people.”
Salliman congratulated everyone who worked hard for the realization the long-dreamed route.
The new route is not only significant but ”Benefits the entire island province of Basilan “the new roro route is a manifestation of the successful peace process under the leadership of BARMM,” the statement added.
He said the new sea route does not only need the support of everybody but it must be taken as a responsibility, as he reiterated the support of the entire province as he expressed heartfelt thank to the leadership of Chief Minister Ahod Ibrahim for giving importance to all Basileños, taking into consideration its significant effects to the movements of people and products.
This, he said was a result of what he has been asking for years “kung saan, pag maging member tayo ng BARMM hindi lamang sa pangalan, hindi lang sa kultura, kung di economic and political yung connectivity (In which, we will be a member of BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao), not just only in name, in culture but also in economic and political connectivity).”
Salliman threw full support and protection to the newly opened route.
Echoing Furigay’s statement, Bisal said “The inaugural voyage marks the milestone in the economic endeavor of Lamitan City and Basilan Province in general, as we unload and later today load goods and products for our markets and our people,” he said, adding that it has been a long dream for every trader of in Basilan that major products and cargoes will no longer pass a circuitous route via Zamboanga Peninsula.
“The opening of the new route does not only mean savings for traders- it also means convenience for our people and above all, additional revenue for the government coffer”, he emphasized.
Furigay appealed to the people, especially to the traders, “To support this venture for to sustain and ensure that it route will become regular and will even have more trips in the future.”
Present during the arrical were Councilors Kennybel Flores, Erwin Cervantes, Nonoy Dalipe, Ibrahim Hassan, Abubakar Gunong, Regine Antonio, Nur-in Akbar, Provincial PNP Director Col. Carlos Madronio, Batallion Commander del 18th Col. Cyrill Santander, Lamitan City COP, Lt. Col. Arlan Dalumpines, Lantawan Mayor Nursiya Ismael, Tabuan Lasa Mayor Moner Manisan, and Tuburan Mayor Jaber Kallahal.
The presence of Minister of Transportation and Communication Atty. Paisalin Tago, Lamitan City Administrator Maria Candelaria Bisal and other stakeholders who stood as witnesss to the maiden voyage from Cotabato City made the occasion more meaningful-EZC
