DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The newly inaugurated Davao-Siargao flight is a big relief to local tourists, they can now visit and enjoy in the country’s surfing without spending long road travel.
Vanessa Mabini, 38, a solo traveler, a resident of Davao City, woke up early to catch the debut flight which will bring her to Siargao, Surigao del Norte, to enjoy the beauty of her long dreamed destination.
Mabini told Newsline.ph “When I saw that a flight has been opened from Davao to Siargao, I immediately booked my flight, I’d been longing to visit the beautiful Island but travelling by land for about ten hours is too much.”
It is her first time to visit Siargao, where she’ll spend three days, in the beautiful beaches.
Flying to Siargao will take 1:15 minutes, “It will be a comfortable travel, she added.
For friends Jennifer and John Patrick, going to Siargao was a dream come true “It is more convenient now and the price is affordable.”
Tourism Secretary Wanda T. Teo said influx of local and foreign guests to Siargao is expected “Very soon, the Boracay Island will have its much-needed rehabilitation, beachgoers will now have an option, the beautiful Island of Siargao.”
Teo also asked airline owners to make their price affordable for every Filipino to travel and enjoy the country’s tourist destinations.
Rabbi Vincent Ang,  President for Commercial Development of PAL Express, said opening local flights to the country’s tourist destinations is their way of promoting the beautiful islands of the country “we connect the airlines and the community.”
Ang announced, “Expect more from us.”
The Davao-Siargao-Davao flight is scheduled four times weekly, but, Ang said “We will increase the frequency if necessary.”
The beautiful Siargao, is a tear-drop shaped island, in the province of Surigao del Norte , it is located 800 kilometers southeast of Manila.
Siargao has a land area of approximately 437 square kilometers with straight coastline.
In welcoming the guests to the inaugural flight, Leana Cariño-Sanga, PAL-Davao officer said “We all welcome you aboard to the surfing Capital of the Country.”
The fully-packed PAL flight left Davao International Airport at 7:20 Sunday morning to Siargao.-Editha Z. Caduaya/Newsline.ph
