PAL starts Davao flights to Bohol, CDO

DAVAO CITY—Philippine Airlines (PAL) launched on Wednesday direct flights from this city to Bohol province and to Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental province, cutting travel time for passengers who go to Cebu province or Manila to reach these destinations.

“Today we have opened a new route from Davao to Tagbilaran, direct, so (passengers) don’t have to pass through Cebu anymore, no transit or transfer via Manila. These new routes will make passenger transfer more convenient and comfortable,” said Ronald Mangahas, PAL Express assistant vice president for airport services.

The Davao-Tagbilaran route will have four flights daily, while a single flight daily will service Cagayan de Oro.

Harry Inoferio, PAL vice president for sales in the Visayas and Mindanao, said the direct flights would save passengers money. One way fare for the Davao-Tagbilaran route was initially offered at less than P1,000.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said tourism was among the priorities of the city government.

In a speech read by Councilor April Dayap, Duterte said: “The Department of Tourism campaign ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines’ is not directed exclusively [at] foreign tourists, it is also an invitation for all Filipinos and Filipinos-at-heart to go out and discover the rest of the country.”—JOSELLE R. BADILLA