MANILA, Philippines — DBP Leasing Corporation (DLC), a subsidiary of state-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), is inviting qualified shipping operators and entrepreneurs to lease roll-on, roll-off (RORO) vessels and deploy them in 28 underutilized ports in the regions of CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol, and Western, Central, and Eastern Visayas.
The company’s route assessment studies show the 28 ports already have ramps and road infrastructure which make them ideal for immediate RORO operations at minimal capital expenditures.
DBP Leasing Corporation also identified 18 more ports that the company has yet to verify if there are existing road and other infrastructures required for missionary routes.
All the 46 RORO ports that were identified were built by the Philippine Ports Authority at a cost of between P40 and P50 million each.
Francisco F. del Rosario Jr., DLC chairman and president and chief executive officer of DBP, said they will buy brand-new locally-manufactured, or second-hand RORO vessels for lease to qualified operators as this will help promote countryside development.
“We want to further pursue the Road RORO Terminal System (RRTS) component of our Logistics Infrastructure Development Project (LIDP) to reduce transport costs from Mindanao to Luzon through the use of RORO vessels that will serve as floating bridges and provide continuity for transporting people and cargoes from one island to another.”
He added that they encourage the participation of the private sector, government-owned-and-controlled corporations, local government units, cooperatives and participating financial institutions to help address the need for adequate infrastructure facilities and efficient logistics for the movement of people and distribution of goods and services in the country.
Agustin Bengzon, DLC president and CEO, said they can customize lease arrangements based on an operator’s needs and capabilities and help the operators in assessing routes. “We want to complement DBP’s development financing activities by acquiring RORO vessels to cover RORO missionary routes, thereby bridging islands and building communities.”
The Maritime Industry Authority lists RORO missionary routes as those without RORO or regular shipping service or operators. Making RORO vessels available to ply these routes could spur inter-island commercial trade and make local tourist destinations more accessible.
The ports are located in Aroroy, Masbate and Pilar, Sorsogon; Cawayan, Masbate and Naval, Biliran; Sibunag, Guimaras and Pulupandan, Negros Occidental; Ubay, Bohol and Hilongos, Leyte; Naval, Biliran and Maripipi, Biliran; San Jose, Occidental Mindoro and Coron, Palawan; and Taytay, Palawan and Cuyo Island, Palawan.
Other ports are located in Danao City, Cebu and San Francisco, Camotes Island, Cebu; San Francisco, Camotes Island, Cebu and Isabel, Leyte; Pasacao, Camarines Sur and Masbate City; Masbate City and Bogo, Cebu; Batangas City and Puerto Galera, Mindoro; Real, Quezon and Pulilio Island, Quezon; and Magdiwang, Sibuyan Island and Romblon, Carmen
