The Philippine Nautical Highway System, also the Road Roll-on/Roll-off Terminal System (RRTS) or simply the RoRo System, is an integrated network of highway and vehicular ferry routes which forms the backbone of a nationwide vehicle transport system in the Philippines. There are two Routes, we travelled frequently over the past years in pursuit of the 50falls@5o goal. During our travels we gather information from the net and from locals regarding accessibility, road condition, travel time, distance, trekking time, and other relevant information.
EASTERN NAUTICAL HIGHWAY
The starting point can either be Davao or Cagayan de Oro then we proceed to Butuan then Ferry terminal at Lipata, Surigao del Norte. Normally we leave after lunch to catch the last or second to the last trip of the Montenegro Shipping line Lipata to San Ricardo route at 7 -9pm. I will try to rest and sleep on the car as my companions process all the papers. I also try to sleep while travelling in the sea to San Ricardo.
We arrived at San Ricardo at around 2200H. Drive continuously to reach Tacloban in the early morning. Coffee in Patok sa Manok in Abuyog, which is open 24 hours, can be taken along the way.
Note: drive carefully in the mountainous and zigzag roads of San Ricardo to Liloan, it is one of the most curvaceous with ascent road I have ever passed. It is more curved than the zigzag roads of CDO to Buda to Davao or going to Baguio or even Atimonan, Quezon. Unlike in Atimonan, there are people guiding motorist where and when to stop if there is traffic. In San Ricardo, you should blow your horn to inform incoming vehicles. The roads are also narrow. Once, we were stranded when a truck was not able to ascend in the steep zigzag and was forced to back his truck in a dangerous manner.
There are two ways of getting to Tacloban, the shorter way is via San Ricardo – Liloan – Sogod – Mahaplag – Abuyog – Palo – Tacloban. The longer route is via San Ricardo – Liloan – Sogod – Maasin – Baybay – Ormoc – Biliran – Palo – Tacloban. The road conditions in both route are all cemented.
From Tacloban City drive continously – San Juanico Bridge – Santa Rita Samar – Calbiga – Catbalogan – Calbayog – Port of Allen. The Tacloban to Calbayog roads are okay. The Calbayog to the Allen route, however, has some portions undergoing repair and are damaged.
The port of Allen is the gateway to port of Matnog, Sorsogon which is your connection to Bicol Region and Luzon. Both of these ports are busy with RORO passengers, so again you can rest/sleep while your companions process the papers. You will be able to rest here while you wait for your turn to board the vessel (there was a time we waited for more than six hours.) There was once where when I arrive and we go directly to the boat for loading as my companions process the payment. Reminder, there would be port congestion due to the volume of RORO passengers during vacations and holidays. Take note also that the priority in loading are Public Utility Buses (PUBs), which carry more passengers. There was a time in December where there were trucks lining up from Matnog port to Irosin which is around 25km, but private vehicles and PUBs were allowed to pass and were given priority in the port.
From Matnog drive continuously to Legazpi City via Sorsogon. From there you have two options to get to Naga City. If you wish to pass by the Casagawa Ruins, you may use the Guinobatan-Naga Route. But if you want to see the scenic view of the Mayon Volcano from afar, you may choose to go through the Malilipot-Naga Route.
To get to Calauag from Naga, there are two ways: through Naga - Sipocot - Daet - Calauag and through Naga - Sipocot - Tagkawayan - Calauag. The Sipocot-Daet route is considerably longer than the Sipocot-Tagkawayan route.
Once you've reached Calauag, you can take the Lucena-Calamba route and you'll be able to reach Rizal Park Manila. You can also take Calauag - Lucban - Pagsanjan - Siniloan - Antipolo - Rizal Park.
We travelled the Eastern Nautical Highway using the different routes and options mentioned above for more than a dozen times.and the fastest travel time is around 38 hours. Below is a sample of the cost of travel without meals. The total travelled distance is around 1400KM, but could be more or less depending in the route.
To get to Calauag from Naga, there are two ways: through Naga - Sipocot - Daet - Calauag and through Naga - Sipocot - Tagkawayan - Calauag. The Sipocot-Daet route is considerably longer than the Sipocot-Tagkawayan route.
Once you've reached Calauag, you can take the Lucena-Calamba route and you'll be able to reach Rizal Park Manila. You can also take Calauag - Lucban - Pagsanjan - Siniloan - Antipolo - Rizal Park.
We travelled the Eastern Nautical Highway using the different routes and options mentioned above for more than a dozen times.and the fastest travel time is around 38 hours. Below is a sample of the cost of travel without meals. The total travelled distance is around 1400KM, but could be more or less depending in the route.
Diesel @Php 30/liter @12km/liter = P 3500
Ferry from Lipata to San Ricardo = P 2700
Ferry from Allen to Matnog = P 1500
________
TOTAL = P 7700
No comments:
Post a Comment