First PAL flight from Cebu to Baguio arrived safely
Loakan Airport, Baguio City – (December 16, 2022) Lulan ng PAL Q400 Bombardier Commercial flight ang 68 na pasahero kasama sina Cebu City Mayor Michael L. Rama, Tourism Usec Mae Elaine T. Bathan at ang PAL executives na kung saan ay matapos nagpasinaya rin ng flight sa Mactan-Cebu International Airport ay safe na nakalapag sa Loakan airport bandang 10:30 ng umaga na tumagal ng wala pang dalawang oras ang biyahe mula Cebu-Baguio.
Masayang sinalubong ng mga panauhin sa pangunguna ni Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong at Baguio DOT-CAR RD Jovy Ganongan, Baguio Tourism Council Chairman, Gladys Vergara, City Tourism Officer Alec Mapalo and Baguio Country Club headed by BCC General Manager Anthony De Leon na bumati ng “Welcome to Baguio” sinalubong rin sa pagtanghal ng welcome dance ng University of the Cordilleras Street Dance Ensemble bago sinimulan ang inaugural ceremony sa VIP Area ng paliparan.
Naunang pinakilala si Cebu Mayor Atty. Michael Lopez Rama, the President of the League of Cities in the Philippines about 147 components and Highly Urbanized Cities and around 40M constituency in the entire country.
Pinasalamatan ni Mayor Rama ang Baguio City officials sa mainit na pagtanggap sa kanila at nag imbita rin para sa darating na January 15, Sinulog Festival 2023.
Sinabi ni Rama, “The flight from Cebu was very exciting and historic moment the journey is smooth because all the time we were doing drink a tea with Tourism Undersecretary Mae Elaine T. Bathan
“Finally, as it was written, it shall be done and this is not the end this is a continuing activity between the City of Cebu, between Cebu under Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and between Lapu-Lapu Mayor Junard Quirante Chan.
“In Cebu, this coming January 15 2023, you are all invited, we have the city government, In behalf of all those, believe me in the flight Sinulog 2023 and bring you own airplane as Stanley and is all yours for accommodation,” pagtatapos ni Rama
Sa panayam kay PAL President / Chief Operation Officer Capt. Stanley Ng, “Ang paglanding ng “First Ever Cebu-Baguio flight dito sa Loakan Airport ay maituturing na historic moment sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas at ang direksiyon naman ng ating gobyerno is provide access mobility sa ating mga kababayan kung saan maka connect ng mas madali na hindi na natin mapahirapan ang mga tagarito papunta sa Visayas area at ganun rin ang mga taga Visayas na nais makapag bakasyon dito sa Baguio ay meron ng access na diretso lang at syempe pag may tourist meron tayong economic activities at ma stimulate ang ekonomiya natin, at inaasahan natin mapapasigla ang turismo sa ating bansa,”
Ayon naman kay Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, “It feels historic to be here at Loakan Airport in Baguio, I am proud that Philippine Airlines has decided to return to Baguio, PAL’s first destination.
“The Manila to Baguio flight on March 15, 1941 used a single engine Beechcraft model 18 airplane, with a full load of five passengers. It marked the birth of the country’s pioneer flag carrier.
“The progress of PAL over the last eight decades has mirrored the progress of the country.
The airline’s history shows that wherever PAL flies, progress follows.
“This totally new air bridge between Cebu and Baguio manifest the resurgence of air travel demand.
“I must however temper the widely spreading confidence at travel with calculated caution because the virus is still around.
While government has eased travel restrictions, spurring multi-modal travel, we at the Department of Transportation continue to urge travelers to use face mask when riding public transport. That includes an airplane.
“Our growth outlook in the transport sector should factor in the vulnerability of certain segments of the traveling public.
“This holiday season, we will not dampen the urge to travel. Air travel will serve as barometer of the economy’s growth momentum.
“PAL’s rich legacy began here in Baguio.
“My confirmation two days ago as Secretary of Transportation by the Commission on Appointment invariably hinged on my colorful stint at PAL
“As Transport Secretary, I congratulate the officials and employees of PAL for their determined effort to spread their wings one again after the pandemic.
“I also congratulate my good friend Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong for personally pushing for PAL to resume air services to the City of Pines.
“At a recent meeting of aviation officials from Asia-Pacific. I told participants we expect air travel to catalyze the region’s economic rebound while ironically air travel was largely responsible for the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus.
I therefore encourage the opening of similar new air service – domestic and international. We look forward to the resumption of healthy competition.
“I hope to see more PAL inaugural flights. I’m glad the heart of the Filipino has again landed in Baguio,”
Beginning December 16, 2022, PAL will offer direct flights between Cebu and Baguio City. This new route will allow hassle-free travel to the City of Pines from the Queen City of the South, and vice versa, in just two hours.
PR 2231 Baguio-Cebu – every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday departing Baguio at 11:10 AM, arriving in Cebu at 01:00 PM
PR 2230 Cebu-Baguio – every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday departing Mactan Cebu at 08:50 AM, arriving at Baguio Loakan Airport at 10:50 AM.
Matapos ang inauguration ay bumalik na sa pag biyahe sina Mayor Rama at kasama ang 56 na pasahero papuntang Cebu. # Mario D. Oclaman // Filipino News Sentinel
