NN, Montenegro forge alliance
Jonas Gagajena, branch manager of NN Iloilo;
Angelito Salvio, assistant vice president, NN;
Nesty Velasquez, special projects of Montenegro
Lines; Aries Patolot, marketing events and
promotions of Montenegro Lines; and Jose Manuel
Mapa, executive vice president of NN during the
press launching of the Alliance onboard
M/V Matilde last June 1
Two leading shipping companies sign an agreement to give traveling passengers from Panay and Negros to Cuyo and Puerto Princesa in Palawan and vice versa an economical, safe and reliable inter-island shipping services starting this month.
Montenegro Shipping Lines and Negros Navigation now serve Iloilo to Palawan through the joint effort dubbed as the "Alliance."
"We are combining leadership of Montenegro Lines and Negros Navigation through this 'Alliance' allowing each of us to share the marketing expertise of NN on long routes and the Roll-On, Roll-Off expertise of Montenegro," according to Jose Manuel Mapa, executive vice president of NN.
"This is the start of more cooperative effort between the two companies to link the islands under the Nautical Highway program of the government," said Angelito Salvio, assistant vice president of NN.
Grace Golez, branch manager of NN Bacolod;
Jonas Gagajena, branch manager of NN Iloilo;
and Mae Panes of NN Iloilo
Salvio presented three objectives of the alliance. They are: establish a strategic nautical highway Ro-Ro transport alliance; combine the strength of NN and expertise of Montenegro; and provide efficient and better transport system to passengers and shippers.
Nestor Velasquez, manager of Montenegro Lines' Special Projects, said that this tie-up is a big opportunity for Iloilo and Palawan's trade. While other existing lines take three days to reach Palawan, M/V Matilde of Montenegro Lines takes only 22 hours.
For as low as P984, travelers can now take the Iloilo-Puerto Princesa route via Montenegro Lines, which departs the Lapuz Pier every Saturday at 10 am.
Montenegro Lines also departs for Cebu twice weekly every Monday and Thursday at 6 pm.
While NN's newly-refurbished San Paolo departs Fort San Pedro Pier every Wednesday at 9 am for Coron and Puerto Princesa.
For details regarding this "Alliance" trips, you may call hotlines (033) 320-3430 and 329-7768.
(With reports from Kathy M. Villalon)