Wooden-hulled boats phase-out underway

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is now cooperating with the Caticlan-Boracay Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CBTMPC) in the implementation of the phasing out of wooden-hulled boats not only in this resort island but all over the country.

Lieutenant Commander Marlowe Acevedo, head of the PCG-Aklan said that he received a memorandum coming from the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) about the planned phasing out of wooden-hulled boats.

For several years, the CBTMPC has been largely using wooden-hulled boats transporting tourists and residents to and from Boracay and Caticlan, Malay, Aklan.

“As soon as I received the memorandum from MARINA, I have been discussing this with the CBTMPC. The management are cooperating with the plan,” Acevedo said.

In recent years, the CBTMPC has already started acquiring few units of fiberglass boats anticipating the MARINA policy of phasing out wooden-hulled boats. Last 1 October the CBTMPC enforced a price adjustment from P23 to P30 for both tourists and residents traversing Caticlan-Boracay and vice versa.

Acevedo said he was advised by the CBTMPC officials that the price adjustment is meant to raise funds for the acquisition of more fiberglass boats.

The MARINA policy mandated phasing out of wooden-hulled boats operation in five years.