TACLOBAN CITY – The city government of Borongan in Eastern Samar has welcomed the move of Bislig City in Surigao del Sur to replicate its unique flight operations model.
City information officer and flight operations chair Rupert Ambil said in an interview Wednesday that officials from Bislig City visited the Eastern Samar capital to gain ideas from the former’s successful flight operations with the country’s flag carrier, Philippine Airlines (PAL).
“Their visit to Borongan is part of their efforts to improve their city’s accessibility and connectivity, seeking insights from Borongan’s regular PAL flights going in and out of the city,” Ambil told the Philippine News Agency.
Bislig city legal officer, lawyer Neil Jao, and information officer Napoleon Velez flew to Borongan on Oct. 18 to learn how the city managed to operate PAL flights despite limited resources.
Ambil said Borongan City has a unique flight operations model, sustained by a small ticketing office that had zero experience with the dealings of airlines prior to its opening.
“The city is also the only local government in the country to build its departure terminal out of its own funds. After finishing the entire planning and construction process in roughly three months, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines moved to replicate Borongan Airport’s modular construction design for other airports across the country,” he added.
Borongan Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda told Bislig officials that the principal aim was to gain increased mobility, putting Borongan on the map of national and global trade. The flights would open opportunities for tourism development, facilitating the influx of tourists and investors in the city.
In a statement, the city government of Bislig said the discussions focused on ways that they could adopt similar strategies to improve its own air connectivity and promote economic growth through tourism.
“This exchange of ideas is expected to help Bislig prepare for future endeavors in opening direct flights to key destinations, with the hope of replicating Borongan’s success in boosting local development,” the city government stated.
Philippine Airlines launched its maiden Manila-Cebu-Borongan twice weekly flight in December 2022. The route has been vital for passengers traveling to and from Eastern Samar, according to the city government.
On Sept. 18 this year, the flag carrier launched its third weekly flight every Wednesday from Borongan Airport in Eastern Samar to Cebu, complementing the existing Monday and Friday flights.
Ambil said the connecting hub of Borongan is Cebu. From Cebu, travelers from Eastern Samar can fly to Manila and to any PAL stations in the country. (PNA)