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New Ferry Services To Romblon Ready For Tourism

Photo courtesy: Romblon News dot com

Two new ferry services are now available that will help tourists visit parts of the Philippines largely overlooked in the past. The first is from Manila to Romblon (and Masbate and Cebu); the second is from Pinamalayan to Maestre De Campo (Sibale), Banton and Simara (Corcuera).

 

Ferry Direct Manila To Romblon, Romblon

Romblon province is arguably one of the most beautiful parts of the Philippine archipelago and lies right at its heart. The province comprises more than twenty island and islets but despite being located on the main ferry route from Manila to the Visayans and Mindanao, residents would watch, frustrated as the big ferries simply sailed past . . . no longer! The new 2Go ferry service from Manila to Romblon (town) started operation yesterday, promising expansion of the tourism industry and also offering access to new markets for the island’s products.

Departing Manila Port at a civilized 3.30pm, the ferry arrives in Romblon town around 5.30am the following day. Accommodations aboard are superior to other offerings from Montenegro (frequently lambasted in the press for objectionable toilets and dirty common areas) and the ability to sleep overnight and wake to a new dawn at the new destination make this voyage an explorer’s dream come true. From Romblon, the 2Go ferry continues on to Masbate, Ormoc and Cebu before returning.

From an alternative perspective: most people know Romblon for its exquisite carved marble products, what most people do not know is that to export these from the island is extremely costly by current means, which makes the products less competitive on the World market. With the coming of the new ferry service, with direct access to the ports of Cebu and Manila, local marble traders are expecting to be able to expand their business and increase the prosperity of the island in general as their products can now be sold competitively worldwide.

Ferry To Maestre De Campo, Romblon

Almost everyone I asked responded, “Maestre De Campo? Where is that?”

Maestre De Campo is a small island at the northwest extremity of Romblon province but, significantly, it is only 20 miles from Pinamalayan, Mindoro. Everyone traveling by sea to Boracay has seen the island, as they passed it by, but probably never thought to ask its name.

Formerly a volcano (now extinct), Maestre De Campo is known locally as Sibale (reportedly its name before the Spanish colonization of the Philippines), the island is stunningly beautiful in places and tranquil throughout. The municipality of Concepcion, that encompasses the entire island, has only around 4,500 resident humans but is home thousands of rare birds and animals – from banded sea snakes to mischievous monkeys. There are 19 named dive sites here, including the famous Mactan Ferry Wreck and Treasure Cave, plus turtle nesting beaches and a rare chance to see the tabon bird, which lays its eggs in the sand on the same beach as the turtles. There are caves to explore and trekking trails, plus snorkeling, paddling and some unique historic sites.

The new ferry service to Maestre De Campo is offered by Montenegro Lines in the form of a fastcraft, which cuts the journey time from Pinamalayan to just one hour (compared to more than two hours previously). The ferry will travel from Pinamalayan to Maestre De Campo and then on to the islands of Banton and Simara (Corcuera), before returning the same day via the same route. Priced at only Php10 per mile, the modest cost of travel to Maestre De Campo will be attractive to all travelers.

With the coming of the new ferry, the people of Maestre De Campo are eagerly awaiting the opportunity of introducing new tourist arrivals to the delights of this unique island paradise at the heart of the Philippines.

Note: Pinamalayan is about two hours drive South of Calapan (Or. Mindoro) and about eight hours South of Manila; the alternative route is to fly to San Jose (Occ. Mindoro) and then drive less than three hours to Pinamalayan port . . . find airlines that fly to San Jose here.

 

 

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