Government authorities are pushing to expand maritime links from Calapan Port to several island provinces, officials said Monday, as the Oriental Mindoro gateway seeks to become a major hub for regional integration and economic growth.

The MIMAROPA Regional Development Council (RDC) formally endorsed the proposal to open new roll-on roll-off ferry routes from Calapan Port to Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan provinces during its quarterly meeting last week in Pasay City.

The proposed expanded Calapan routes will reinforce regional integration under the Strong Republic Nautical Highway system and stimulate economic growth, tourism and trade across Mimaropa region and neighboring provinces.

Calapan Port currently operates only limited routes to Batangas on the main island of Luzon.

The proposed expansion would establish direct connections to major island destinations previously requiring multiple transfers.

“I hope the MARINA will implement this as soon as possible,” said Marinduque Governor Presbitero Velasco Jr., who chairs the council’s Infrastructure Development Committee.

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) will now deliberate on the council’s endorsement.

MIMAROPA Region covers five provinces – Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, and Romblon – with Calapan as the regional center.

The region is unique as the only area outside the Visayas with no land border to another region.

While neighboring ports such as Roxas in Oriental Mindoro connect to Odiongan in Romblon, and San Jose in Occidental Mindoro links to Coron in Palawan, Calapan’s potential as a strategic hub remains underutilized, according to regional officials.

Transportation Undersecretary Teodorico Jose R. Bellido expressed support for the proposal in a statement.

“The department wishes to thank the MIMAROPA RDC for pursuing possible maritime routes that will bridge regional gaps and uplift provincial economies,” he said.

Tourism officials also backed the planned expansion.

“With the expansion of the maritime network, it would greatly enhance accessibility and increase the number of tourists going to Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan,” a Department of Tourism Mimaropa official said.

The Strong Republic Nautical Highway is a 919-kilometer system connecting the major islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The roll-on/roll-off system has proven effective in moving people and cargo across the archipelago since its launch in 2003.

Photo: courtesy of PPA Mindoro