Resumption of ferry boat service to Manila seen

ORION, Bataan – As the province gears up for the resumption of the ferry service to ply Orion-Manila route, via Manila Bay, Orion Mayor Tonypep Raymundo is already pushing for the widening of the municipal road from the Roman highway to the Port of Orion in Sta. Elena.

Governor Abet S. Garcia has been talking with ferry boat companies, one of which is a Cebu-based foreign shipping company, in his bid to resume the ferry boat service that will further make Bataan nearer to Manila. By this time, Gov. Garcia wanted that a Roro (Roll on, Roll off) ship will service here to enable commuters to bring with them their cars and vans to Manila.

Orion is only 22 nautical miles away from Manila or just 30 to 45 minutes by ferry boat. Gov. Garcia said that a foreign shipping company has expressed interest to designate his fast ferry boats here.

The Alloy MTD of Malaysia, a multi-national foreign company that will finance the P2.4 billion Bataan Provincial Capitol and commercial center here, is also studying the possibility of operating a ferry boat service here.

The ferry services from this coastal town to PICC in Manila had stopped operations despite being patronized by Bataenos as well as local and foreign tourists and businessmen, particularly those commuters going to Makati, Pasay and Roxas Blvd. areas. Though travel time via ferry boat is really fast, most of the passengers who are students, complained of exorbitant fares and the absence if specific schedule as to time of departure. If the ferry company will make its fare reasonable and will depart on time regularly, motorists will certainly patronize the ferry service.

The Port of Orion has a sprawling terminal and parking space with unique-designed office and passenger terminal that was initiated by then congressman Abet Garcia.