EAGA SEA ROUTES INCREASE PASSENGER TRAFFIC
Zamboanga City, Feb. 19, 1998 - More and more people are now travelling by sea to and from Mindanao and neighboring countries, using new routes opened within the East ASEAN Growth Area (EAGA).
In an effort to promote the use of air and sea routes within the EAGA, President Ramos granted travel tax exemption to individuals exiting the Philippines through Mindanao's EAGA ports and airports. The travel tax exemption was welcomed by small and medium industry entrepreneurs, and opened the doors for increased economic activities as a result of an influx of trade and investments.
The MV Sampaguita II plying the Sandakan-Zamboanga sea route registered a monthly growth rate of 79.96% for incoming passengers and 83.33% for outgoing passengers. Incoming cargo registered a quarterly growth rate of 20.33%.
Other ocean-going vessels plying the Mindanao-Malaysia route likewise registered increases in both passenger and cargo traffic.
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