(PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial governor of Biliran, Gerard Roger Espina, has welcomed the launch of SeaCat Grand Ferry, which will now connect the province to Cebu and Calbayog City.
SeaCat Grand Ferry began its operations on September 27, providing faster sea transport for Biliran residents, particularly for those traveling from Naval to Cebu.
The trip from Naval to Cebu via the SeaCat Grand Ferry takes approximately 3.5 hours, significantly shorter than the 4-hour journey via the Naval-Ormoc-Cebu route.
“With this improved travel time, we anticipate an influx of tourists and potential investors, as our province becomes more accessible, offering convenient travel options,” the governor said.
Biliran is being positioned as Eastern Visayas’ mountaineering haven, with its friendly mountain terrain attracting trekking and mountaineering enthusiasts.
The province is also home to popular tourist destinations such as Sambawan Island, Higatangan Island, and several picturesque waterfalls.
To ensure the sustainability of the ferry service, Gov. Espina mentioned plans to subsidize fares for certain passengers, such as persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and senior citizens.
“I told the management that I don’t want them to suffer losses, especially in the first year of operations. For the provincial government, this service is a big deal as it opens up endless possibilities for development, including potential investments in the province,” he added.
The Naval to Cebu trips are every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday while it departs from Cebu at 7:30 am and 11:40 am from Calbayog.
Meantime it leaves at 2 pm from Calbayog to Naval and 4 pm from Naval to Cebu.
Arthur Von Zosa, managing director of the SeaCat Grand Ferry, urged Biliran residents to support the Naval-Cebu route to ensure its sustainability.
He also emphasized that aside from providing efficient transportation, the new route will help in promoting and marketing Biliran to tourists from Central Visayas.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
