The Department of Transportation (DOTr) in the Philippines has announced plans to invest up to PHP20 billion (US$ 342 million) in the development of a new passenger ferry system, the Manila Bay-Pasig River-Laguna Lake (MAPALLA) Ferry System.

This project aims to enhance transportation options across Metro Manila and the Southern Tagalog region, leveraging the waterways of Manila Bay, Pasig River, and Laguna de Bay. The investment would cover the construction of ferry stations and the procurement of electric-powered vessels. The MAPALLA Ferry System is designed to emulate the Chao Phraya River Ferry System in Thailand and the New York Ferry System in the US. The project has started receiving proposals from the private sector, with plans to bid out the contract in 2025. The DOTr is conducting a feasibility study to determine the projected ridership and final costs. MAPALLA will connect Metro Manila, Cavite, and Laguna, providing an alternative transport route along the eastern and southern corridors of the metro.