President Arroyo on Saturday expressed optimism that more jobs, projects, and businesses will be created following the launching of the Roll on-Roll off (RORO) link between Cebu province and Northern Mindanao.

The Chief Executive led the launching of the RORO link between Cebu and Northern Mindanao as well as the inauguration of the RORO ferry, M/V Lite Ferry One, at the Lite Shipping Wharf in Bato, San Sebastian, Simbulan, Cebu last Saturday.

Arroyo congratulated the port staff for the establishment of the newest RORO wharf, expressing hopes that more jobs, projects, and businesses will be created.

The establishment of the RORO link is expected to help save time and cost in transporting goods and people.

The latest RORO link is part of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH), which aims to link the country’s central, eastern and western seaboards.

The SRNH links islands through roads, bridges, and use of RORO vessels.

It is one of the biggest programs of the Arroyo administration.

Other ports expected to be established before Arroyo’s term ends in 2010 include that in Aklan, Iloilo, Sorsogon, Masbate, Biliran, Bohol, and Palawan.

The latest RORO link is expected to further boost tourism. Building and enhancement of infrastructure are among the priorities of the government to enable the country to attract more foreign tourists. It will be recalled that European countries have been seeking for more direct flights and easier access to Philippine tourist destinations as well as more affordable rates for tourists to increase tourist arrivals here.

Some of the completed infrastructure projects include the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) worth P28 billion; the upgrading of the Poro International Airport worth P477 million; the Dingalan Port in Aurora worth P96 million; Caticlan Multipurpose project in Western Visayas worth P7.4 billion, the EDSA rehabilitation project worth P200 million; the Southern Tagalog Artillary Road (STAR) worth P2.5 billion; Subic Bay Port Development project worth P8 billion; Batangas Port at P6.8 billion; and the Bacolod-Silay Airport worth P4 billion, among others.