Economic boost seen from Cebu Pacific’s new Cebu-Calbayog route

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar, Nov. 21 (PNA) -– Local officials eye more tourism and economic development in Samar province with the launching of Cebu Pacific’s (CEB) Cebu–Calbayog route.

CEB officially launched its flight from Cebu City to Calbayog City, the oldest city in Samar Island. The CEB flies from Cebu to Calbayog four times weekly - Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

CEB Cebu–Calbayog flight targets travellers not only from this city, but also from Catbalogan City, nearby Northern Samar province, and nearby towns.

Department of Tourism Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes said that the newly opened route in Eastern Visayas is a big help for the region to be easily accessible and connected to other parts of the country.

Tiopes added that with this development, she is looking forward into the day when Calbayog becomes the second gateway to Eastern Visayas.

Calbayog tourism officer Ronald Ricafort said the city is ready for the influx of tourists after CEB launched its Cebu–Calbayog flight.

“We strengthened accreditation of tourism establishments such as hotels, lodging houses, resorts, restaurants and transport providers to make sure that this establishments fit the standards set by the DOT,” Ricafort added.

In 2015, Calbayog City was the second throughout the region with the highest number of tourist arrival.

“We are hoping that we can meet this year’s target, and this new route will surely help boost tourism in Calbayog,” he further added.

Meanwhile, Samar 1st district Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento is very optimistic that the newly operated route will boost economic activities in the province and will further encourage tourists to visit Samar.

Sarmiento appealed to Samar residents to support and help promote the said new route to ensure sustainability.

“Let us invite people from other parts of the country to visit Samar and see the beauty of the province, and eventually boost economic activity and tourism and change Samar from something impoverished to one of the most progressive province in the country,” the solon said.

Sarmiento urged the transportation department to fast track the ongoing runway expansion of Calbayog City Airport.

Once the expansion of the runway is completed, the facility can accept larger aircrafts, hence, carrying more passengers and lowering air fare.

Sarmiento said that during his talk with CEB officials, the airline company committed to transfer one of its airbus flights in Tacloban to Calbayog once the expansion is done.

Last year, the national government implemented the first phase of the expansion project, extending the 1,650-meter runway by 15 meters.

Early this month, the transportation department bid out the PHP445-million Calbayog Airport development project, which entails the construction of new passenger terminal building, expansion of apron, new taxiway and site development works.

Calbayog City, the largest city in Eastern Visayas in terms of land area, is known as the "City of Waterfalls". Most popular among the nine waterfalls is the Tarangban Falls in Tinaplacan village, 45 kilometers away from the city center.

The city government under its tourism program, promotes the Malajog Ridge Zipline and Nature Park as additional attraction for tourists visiting the city. (PNA)
LAP/SQM/JENNIFER SUMAGANG–ALLEGADO & ROEL T. AMAZONA/EGR