Guimaras Travellers Reach 20,000 Daily- Study

Jordan Guimaras — Data collated by the Provincial Government of Guimaras (PGG) showed that approximately 20,000 people come in and out the island-province daily as suggested by records kept at major wharfs in the municipalities of Jordan and Buenavista.

Provincial Governor Samuel Gumarin said the figure contrasted sharply the number given by Provincial Vice-Governor Vicente de Asis of 7,000 travellers, more or less.

Ascertaining the actual number of passengers ferried by motorized outriggers to nearby Iloilo City and vice-versa would be vital in determining whether having a state-of-the-art passenger terminal can benefit the parties concerned, and in particular the natives of Guimaras, Gumarin said.

Politicians in the island are divided on the proposed Php11.00 terminal fee set to be imposed on those going in and out of the island once the Guimaras-Iloilo Ferry Terminal starts to function, but tensions seem to have died down although construction on the terminal has been temporarily halted owing to issues yet to be resolved.

The governor has also been forthright in saying that his government is not opposed to developments emanating in Iloilo City, and which ultimately may benefit his province, but was also quick to add that resolving the bone of contention, that is, the Php11.00 terminal fee would be crucial in the resumption of stalled negotiations between Iloilo City and Developer Double Dragon Corporation, and Guimaras. “My next step is to know the sentiment of my constituents vis-à-vis the terminal fee”, Gumarin said. (PNA)