Philippines envoy to Indonesia wants RORO route revived

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Leehiong Tan Wee recently met with Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Sarundajang to discuss bilateral relations between their two countries.

Wee is keen on reviving the roll-on-roll-off (RORO) route between the Philippines and Indonesia, which aims to enhance maritime connectivity and maximize the use of regional sea lanes with the goal of promoting trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.

The maiden voyage of the RORO was launched by President Duterte and Indonesian President Joko Widodo on April 30, 2017, between Davao and General Santos in the Philippines and Bitung, Indonesia.

The operationalization of RORO supports the region’s efforts towards pursuing integration, enhancing connectivity, expanding trade and investment opportunities and developing MSMEs and the sub-regions.

It aims to further intensify cooperation in the areas of tourism promotion, establishment of air linkages and increasing trade and investment flows.

Philippines-Indonesia trade has increased from $4 billion in 2015 to over $7 billion in 2017. Indonesia has moved from being the Philippines’ 11th top trading partner in 2015 to the Philippines’ 9th top trading partner in 2017.

The RORO route is seen to help spur further trade, business and tourism opportunities between Indonesia and the Philippines, especially for Mindanao, by significantly reducing shipping time and cost between the two countries. However, the RORO route is currently on hold due to low demand.

In an effort to revive it, Wee met with stakeholders in Manila to discuss how to move forward. He also met businessmen and exporters who are members of the Management Association of the Philippines, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Wee also held talks with various airlines to discuss the establishment of a direct air route between Davao and Manado that will complement the RORO.