The Tricity Tourism project is sealed in an agreement signed by Mayors Hernani Braganza (Alaminos), Alipio Fernandez (Dagupan) and Engr. Rudy Ducusin, city planning and development officer of San Fernando (representating Mayor Pablo Ortega). --Jim Manaois

ALAMINOS CITY—Three cities in northern Luzon that are considered to be favorite tourist destinations will soon be interlinked by means of a ferry-boat system. The project is expected bring in more tourists and spur economic progress.

A memorandum of agreement (MOA) was finally signed by key leaders of the cities of Dagupan, Alaminos and San Fernando for the establishment of a ferry project within the Lingayen Gulf area. The cities will establish their respective wharves to serve as landing ports of the ferry boats.

The MOA was signed recently by Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza, Dagupan City Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. and Engr. Rudy Ducusin, city planning and development officer of San Fernando who represented San Fernando City Mayor Pablo Ortega.

Braganza said he expects a rise in the influx of tourists, especially those wishing to experience the thrill of the panoramic Hundred Islands located in his city.

Alaminos is also being eyed by President Arroyo as the site of an international airport to be constructed this year. Earlier, this western part of Pangasinan was identified by the provincial government as a zone for industrial development.

“I guess the number of tourists visiting the famous Hundred Islands will be doubled because aside from the shortened travel period, traversing the Lingayen Gulf will be more exciting and adventurous especially during summer,” Braganza said.

The planned ferry system through the historic Lingayen Gulf is envisioned to help the three cities complement each other in terms of trade, commerce, culture, health care, tourism and ecotourism.

“San Fernando is the regional center of Region 1, maraming taga-Western Pangasinan ang bumibiyahe dyan to secure permits, clearances, passports, etc.,” he said.

“Dagupan, on the other hand, is the commercial center of Pangasinan where there are several malls, hotels and other services like restaurants, while Alaminos boasts of the Hundred Islands,” Braganza added.

The ferry system is calculated to cut travel time between the three cities by at least three hours.

The project will initially be funded by the three city governments but Braganza reiterated earlier announcements that they intend to seek a build-operate-transfer arrangement with private investors “in order to cut costs.”

BOC changing rules on warehousing

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) is changing the way importers liquidate materials meant for export, aiming at simplifying the government’s warehousing procedures and preventing the accumulation of unliquidated entries.

THE Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) said it will double the required number of cadets onboard a domestic vessel in a move to meet the growing shortage of marine and deck officers in both the domestic and international shipping industry.

ALAMINOS CITY—Three cities in northern Luzon that are considered to be favorite tourist destinations will soon be interlinked by means of a ferry-boat system. The project is expected bring in more tourists and spur economic progress.

HONG KONG—Workers at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., the world’s third-largest shipyard, voted to strike in protest against Korea Development Bank’s plan to sell a stake this year.