A Trip to the Past and Present Loreto Transportation
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| People's Bus of the Municipality of Loreto, ADS - Side View |
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| Source: Google |
Years ago, pump boats were the only mode of transportation to Loreto. It takes more than two hours of boat rides from Bunawan before we reach Loreto.
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| MLGU Loreto, ADS - Back View |
Then access roads were created but not cemented. Only bicycles, which locals call "habal-habal" or "skylab," can pass through the muddy and rocky way.
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| Source: ICRC |
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| Inside the MLGU Bus |
The change of administration led to the concreting of roads. It is now easier and faster to arrive at Loreto from Bunawan via the Bunawan-Veruela-Loreto road.
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| Front View of the MLGU Bus |
The construction of farm-to-market roads made Loreto more accessible from different regions. According to Google Maps, it only takes 2 hours and 24 minutes to reach Loreto via Pan-Philippine Highway and 2 hours and 36 minutes via Asuncion-San Isidro-Laak-Veruela Rd and Laak - Veruela - Trento Rd.
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| MLGU Loreto, ADS Bus - Backseat |
For a rougher road trip from Loreto to the Cagwait and Surigao seas, Bayugan-Cantilan-Tandag Rd and Butuan City-Talacogon-Loreto-Veruela-Sta Josefa Rd are the right roads. Bachelor, a bus company in Butuan City, stopped their operation in Loreto because of the damage caused by the rocky roads in the Municipality of La Paz and the conflict areas between Loreto and La Paz.
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| MLGU Loreto, ADS Bus - Driver's Seat |
The lack of buses coming in and going out of Loreto led to the acquisition of the Municipal bus. It's a challenge for the residents, especially those groups from schools or other organizations that will represent the municipality in regional, national, or international competitions or events.
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| MLGU Loreto, ADS Bus - More Than 46 Seats |
An eco-tourism destination is one of the visions of this municipality too, but without good roads and public utility vehicles (PUV), attracting tourists is a great challenge.
May this new bus open more opportunities for Loreto and its residents.Photo Credits: Shine Loreto Bibo Loreto
