AS AIR TRAVEL demand continues to increase, the Philippine Airlines said it might consider opening direct flights connecting Laoag, the northern gateway of Luzon, to the central Visayas region.
Xavier Ruiz, officer-in-charge of the Provincial Tourism Office, said talks are underway for the proposed direct flights from Cebu to Laoag and vice versa.
“Since we are participating in international travel marts, we are constantly receiving a number of inquiries should airlines consider adding new flights and we are glad about it,” said Ruiz following Ilocos Norte’s latest participation in the International Travel Festival held recently in Cebu City.
In 2011, Ilocos Norte and Cebu signed a pact for a sister-province ties and both local governments envisioned to promote big opportunities on economic investment, tourism, agriculture as well as the passion for culture and heritage, among other things.
Ruiz said the first step to maximize the sisterhood agreement is to open direct flights from Cebu to Laoag and vice-versa. To date, there are two options in going to Ilocos Norte from Cebu – and that is for Cebuanos and visitors may fly to Manila then take a connecting flight to Laoag or take a flight from Cebu to Clark in Pampanga and then ride a bus going to Laoag. (Leilanie Adriano)
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