By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said yesterday that flights between Manila and Bacolod-Silay Airport are to be increased starting Monday, November 15, up until the end of the month.
According to Diaz, one scheduled flight a day per airline will be allowed.
With the increase in flight frequencies, Diaz hopes that the current airline fare will decrease between both destinations.
At present the regular fare for vaccinated passengers is at P3,750 one-way via Philippine Airlines.
Vaccinated passengers will be given preference to the said flights.
Entry requirements will also remain the same, with passengers required to register via the S-PaSS system and present either their vaccination card or a negative RT-PCR test 72 hours prior to travel.
Related to the S-PaSS system, Diaz affirmed that they have found several issues wherein the local government units (LGUs) in the province are delayed in their response to the traveler’s application for entry.
Because of this, Diaz said they have talked with the LGUs and it was decided that the provincial government will handle the acceptance or denial of entry for travelers via the S-PaSS system.
Diaz also issued a warning to anyone who may attempt to present fake travel documents in the S-PaSS system, stating they could face charges if intercepted.
Those who are intercepted are also going to be brought to the provincial government’s quarantine facility where they would be waiting for at least seven days before undergoing mandatory RT-PCR test.
“One flight, per airline, per day [so that’s] three flights,” Diaz said.
The Manila-Bacolod route is currently served by Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines and AirAsia Philippines.
The provincial administrator added they are also preparing for an expected influx of travelers going home by December during this year’s holiday season.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, meanwhile, is expected to issue a new executive order over the increase in flight frequencies anytime this week, and Diaz said it would also include the new shortened general curfew hours of 12:00 midnight to 4:00 a.m. for adults, and 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. for minors./DGB, WDJ