Since Philippine Airlines (PAL) resumed services to Borongan, Eastern Samar in 2022, the city airport has proved to be a gamechanger in the local economy of the province.
Not only did it provide direct links between Eastern Samar and Cebu City, it also opened up new economic opportunities for what was once one of Eastern Visayas’ poorest provinces.
So it was no small achievement that other areas in the Philippines are now looking into Borongan Airport as an example of how improving air facilities could lead to growth.
Recently, city officials said that officials from Bislig City in Surigao del Sur visited the Eastern Samar capital to gain ideas from the former’s successful flight operations with 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 media.
Bislig city legal officer, lawyer Neil Jao, and information officer Napoleon Velez flew to Borongan last October 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.
PAL currently operates thrice-a-week flights from Borongan to Cebu City, enabling its residents to connect to Manila and other major destinations in the Philippines.
With report from PNA
Photo Courtesy: PNA/Borongan City government
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