The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is pushing Philippine Airlines (PAL) to lower its airfares to Siargao, in a bid to make the country’s top surfing destination more accessible to travelers.
Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said he would follow up with PAL executives after lawmakers raised concerns during the agency’s budget hearing that domestic flights are becoming more expensive than international ones.
Lopez explained that the issue was first tackled under former transportation chief Vince Dizon, who already initiated talks with airline operators last week.
According to Lopez, PAL initially agreed to bring down the one-way fare to Siargao to around ₱11,000, from an average of ₱17,500. However, he stressed that further negotiations are needed to ensure this price cut is implemented immediately, especially with the holiday season approaching.
He added that lowering airfare is crucial to supporting tourism growth and ensuring Filipinos can afford to travel within the country.
