Legarda Welcomes New FastCat Routes to Antique

Deputy Speaker and Antique Representative Loren Legarda gladly announced that FastCat has finally launched its new route to the province of Antique through its maiden voyage held last Monday, 29 June 2020.

Legarda, who initiated the proposal early last year for Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation (APFC) to open new RoRo routes to serve her kasimanwa, welcomed this development saying, “I want my province of Antique to be more accessible not only for the convenience of my kasimanwa, but also for other people who travel for business, tourism and trade. This new route will give them another option for travelling, while allowing them to appreciate and enjoy the scenery of the land and sea routes they will be traversing.”

FastCat trips from Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro to Caluya, Antique and from Caluya to Caticlan Port in Malay, Aklan, and return trips for both legs are scheduled every Monday. Travel time from Bulalacao to Caluya is approximately two and a half (2 1/2) hours, while the Caluya-Caticlan route has an estimated travel time of two (2) hours.

The ceremonial blessing was attended by the representatives of FastCat, namely: General Manager Segundo Mentoya, Jr., Deputy Person Ashore Capt. Mark Bryan Saladino, Sales Manager Harley Gunay, and Consultant Marie Claire Mentoya. On the part of Caluya municipal government, the ceremony was attended by Mayor Rigil Kent Lim, Sangguniang Bayan members, Liga ng mga Barangay President Catherine Lim, members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) of Caluya, barangay chairmen, businessmen, and members of the Caluya Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association.

Caluya Municipal Mayor Lim conveyed the appreciation of the Caluyanhons as sea travel will be safer, cheaper and travel time will be shortened for his constituents who need to travel to nearby islands.

It was through Legarda’s efforts that FastCat decided to open new routes to Antique with the help of APFC President and Chief Executive Officer Chet Pastrana. The vessel has a maximum capacity of 300 passengers and can accommodate 35 vehicles.

“This will open up more opportunities for my kasimanwa. Goods and services will now be swiftly delivered, not only for the island municipality of Caluya but for the rest of the province of Antique as well,” Legarda stated.

“Last month, the provincial government under Gov. Dodod Cadiao and my office implemented the Libre Uli Antique program to bring home locally-stranded individuals (LSIs) from Luzon. FastCat was one of our partners for this program and we have seen how professional, hardworking and reliable the officers and crew members of the ferry company are. With their help, we were able to bring back 1,115 LSIs to their respective families. This only bodes well for a fruitful partnership between FastCat and the province of Antique,” Legarda added.

FastCat also undertook a ceremonial voyage from Lipata Port in Culasi, Antique to the port of Caticlan on May 6, 2019.

For more information and booking reservations, FastCat can be reached through its website www.fastcat.com.ph and official Facebook page @FastCatOfficial.

Information about trips to Caluya can also be inquired from their Bulalacao Office at contact number 09988453286 and Caticlan Office with contact numbers 09988453305 and 09189064979.***