Tacloban-Manila flights
TACLOBAN CITY — Officials in Eastern Visayas have appealed to Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon for assistance amid a sharp increase in airfares on the Manila-Tacloban route.
The sudden surge in airfare prices coincides with the imposition of a three-ton load limit on the San Juanico Bridge by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), following reports of structural defects.
On Sunday, May 25, regional officials led by Department of Economy, Planning and Development Assistant Regional Director Jam Colas Villaber personally raised the issue with Secretary Dizon, seeking his intervention to address the concern.
“We will investigate,” Dizon said, adding that he would meet with airline companies in Manila to discuss the matter.
A travel agency owner, who requested anonymity, confirmed the spike in ticket prices, saying one-way fares from Manila to Tacloban currently range from as low as P12,000 to as high as P25,000, excluding agency markups.
“These prices could go even higher when agency fees are included,” the owner said. “The high fares may be due to the peak travel season and complications from the San Juanico Bridge restrictions.”
Despite the soaring costs, the agency continues to see strong demand. “We are fully booked today and even tomorrow,” the owner added.
Local businessman Wilson Uy expressed dismay over the steep prices, noting that airfare to international destinations such as Hong Kong can cost significantly less, averaging around P10,000.
Rhoel Ladera, another local businessman, also said that the steep price could discouraged visitors and travellers to visit Tacloban City and the rest of the region.
“The rise in plane fares is becoming a major barrier to local tourism. It discourages domestic travelers, especially budget-conscious families and small groups, from exploring local destinations. This not only limits the movement of people but also affects the livelihood of tourism-dependent communities that rely on a steady flow of visitors,” he said.
Tourism Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes expressed hope that the issue would be resolved soon.
“This is something that we hope will be addressed,” she told Leyte Samar Daily Express, adding that the high airfare is becoming a major deterrent for potential visitors to Eastern Visayas.
“Our tour operators are finding it difficult to promote the region because airfare-inclusive packages often end up being more expensive than trips to nearby Asian countries,” Tiopes explained in a separate media interview.
Currently, the Daniel Z. Romualdez (DZR) Airport in Tacloban City, the region’s main gateway, operates 19 daily flights with routes to Manila, Cebu, Bacolod, and Davao.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
