Amid reports that the company operating regular flights to Bantayan Island, via the Mactan Cebu International Airport, has implemented a fare hike, Gov. Gwen Garcia intervened and asked the company to keep its rates affordable, at least for now.
In a meeting with officials of Leading Edge Air Services Corporation (LEASCOR), operator of the Bantayan flights, Gov. Gwen asked them to maintain the flight fare of P888 in order to continually attract public attention to their services.
Present at the meeting were retired Major General Gilbert Llanto, chair of Prime Aces Holdings Corporation (PAHC), and Captain Jose Commendador, Vice President for Operations at LEASCOR.
The meeting was in response to a public announcement by the company of its plans to increase fares to P1,888 on regular days and P2,588 during peak holiday seasons, effective November 1.
However, Governor Gwen expressed concern over the fare hike especially with the upcoming holiday season which typically sees an influx of local and foreign travelers and tourists to Bantayan Island, known for its white sand beaches and exciting island adventures.
In response, General Llanto committed to keeping the P888 fare until further notice, understanding the wisdom of the governor.
Governor Gwen said she is committed to helping the company remain in business. In fact she revealed that she is in talks with fuel suppliers to negotiate lower fuel prices for LEASCOR so that it could keep travel costs affordable for the Cebuanos.
The flights to Bantayan, done twice a week, on Fridays and Sundays, are aboard ATR planes with a 72-seat capacity. Last August 28, the first flight successfully landed at the Bantayan Island Airport, significantly cutting on travel time to the island from the city, from at least six hours by bus and ferry, to as swift as a 28-minute ride. | MARM
