The boat cooperative has welcomed the decision of Magsaysay Maritime Corporation (MMC) to withdraw its investment in the transport services in Boracay, Malay, Aklan.
Godofredo Sadiasa, chairman of Caticlan Boracay Transport Multi-purpose Cooperative (CBTMPC), said “the withdrawal of the P150-million investment is partly to be blamed to the perceived massive displacement of Malaynons and the controversy surrounding MMC’s operations in Olongapo.”
“We have an agreement with MMC’s negotiator to pursue in other endeavors for the resort-island despite the withdrawal of its investment last year. The cooperative would therefore develop the transport services even without competitors from multi-national corporations like MMC and AMPO Shipping Lines,” Sadiasa added.
MMC, a leading provider of skilled workers in luxury cruise ships abroad, initially planed to invest four all-weather ferry boats and 55 units of specially designed vehicles for the efficient and comfortable transport of tourists and goods in the island.
No less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the MMC, Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez, Malay town Mayor Ceciron Cawaling and Aklan Cong. Florencio Miraflores to provide a world-class transport services in the island.
“We are hoping the P2.6-million ferry boat is ready this February to respond to our call to expand the transport services for local and foreign tourists aside from the motorized pump boats,” Sadiasa said.
He also said that the Unified Cooperative and Associations of Malay (UCAM) has strongly opposed the entry of MMC and AMPO Shipping Lines last year citing the massive displacements of 3,000 workers, tricycle drivers, boatmen, paraw and boat operators.
But, the MMC and the provincial government insisted of the gains of the entry of world class transport services for the island with 500,000 visitors last year, saying, “it is high time for the premier tourist destination of the country to expand the transport services to other stakeholders like MMC and AMPO Shipping Lines.”
As this developed, Sadiasa clarified the cooperative is waiting for the implementation of the one-entry one-exit policy this year, although, the local government of Malay has questioned the legality of the provincial ordinance before a regional trial court in Kalibo.
“I think the one-entry one-exit is necessary, but, the government should improve the infrastructures and services in the island before we could really implement the scheme.
The provincial government is actually negotiating with our local officials in Malay how to implement the ordinance,” Sadiasa claimed. /MP
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