City gov't eyes realization of Guimaras pump boat terminal
The Iloilo City government looks forward for the realization of the proposed pump boat terminal in Fort San Pedro as jump off point to Guimaras. The proposed pump boat terminal will bring convenience to the people especially during Holy Week where a throng of local and foreign tourists visit the island.
City Tourism Office chief Benito Jimena said the proposed pump boat terminal could help boost the tourism industry of Iloilo City and Guimaras.
Currently, there are two pump boat pick-up points in the city. One is in Ortiz which caters to pump boats going to the town of Jordan and the other in Fort San Pedro which caters to pump boats going to Buenavista port.
The plan for construction of a pump boat terminal is also a joint effort between Iloilo City and Guimaras, both of which are members of the Metro Iloilo Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC).
The P10 million-worth port terminal will rise at the Rotary Park where the Philippine Coast Guard is currently located.
The area will be developed to give passengers more comfort, accessibility and a better structure. At present, there is no structure like a terminal that could serve as shelter for passengers for heat and rain.
The proposed pump boat terminal is one of the priority projects to improve the accessibility of Guimaras from Iloilo City for its tourism activities, said Jimena.
Meanwhile, Jimena said they recently received complaints from the visiting tourists about the state of the Balaan Bukid. Tourists complained that the bamboo railings used in climbing the mountain are already old and should be replaced to avoid accidents.
He, however, said the municipal government of Jordan and provincial government of Guimaras have their tourism plans to further attract tourists. The city government could not in any way intervene with their current plans on their tourist attraction sites, said Jimena.