Chairman's Corner
Angelito M. Sarmiento
MARID Editorial Board
Vol. 19 No. 2, June 2008
As early as 1985, we have been pushing for a project like RO-RO. We're glad it's coming to reality.
Finally, the RO-RO network, which I referred to as "highways of the sea" is coming into a reality -- linking islands, creating access to an efficient mode of transporting commodities or products to market or buyers.
It is a project long nurtured in the back burners, all through numerous government administrators.
The RO-RO, which I started to push way back in 1985, (during my Philippine Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (PCCI) days as Chairman of the Food, Agriculture and Forestry Committee) together with numerous co-dreamers of an efficient transport system like Vicente "Ting" Lim, Jr., Menardo Carlos, Gus de Leon, Carlos Ortoll, Soledad Agbayani, Dulce Gozon, Raul Hernandez, Roberto Ansaldo, Joseph Siahetong, Rosalino Perez, Ike Unson III, Ernesto Sanvictores, Franklin Panahon, Jose Manglicmot, among others, was first brought as a viable agenda for government with then President Ferdinand Marcos.
This was again taken up with then Secretary of Agriculture Ramon J. Mitra and with the succeeding administrations.
The support of regional and local chamber of commerce were solicited, to include the participation of shipping associations like the Philippine Inter-Island Shipping Association which was then headed by Mr. Agustin Bengzon) and buyers of agricultural products, specially the wholesalers and retailers (which was then represented by Mr. Joey Albert of the Philippine Association of Supermarkets) and many other stake holders.
And it is only now, under President Gloria M. Arroyo that the project has taken momentum to take off.
The development of the highway of the sea or RO-RO is a continuing process and should not end. Its presence can very well contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of our people.
Read also: Solon Envisions Highways of the Seas
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