This Week in Palawan (May 8 to 14, 2018)

Pluviophiles would surely love this shower-filled week. But for those who don’t want to get wet, you know what essentials to bring as you go places. Keep your foldable umbrella or raincoat handy, as you’ll brave rain showers coupled with thunderstorms that would prevail over Palawan. AccuWeather says this week’s temperature ranges from 270C to 290C [1]. Take advantage of Tuesday and Sunday for these would be the only partly sunny days in this cloudy week.

Generally, traffic congestion isn’t a problem in Palawan; however, it’s a different story when you’re in Puerto Princesa City, the province’s capital.

Moderate to heavy traffic at the city proper can challenge your patience, especially since this week also happens to be the election period for Synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections [2].

Expect the traffic situation to get worse on election day, May 14, as locals are trooping to voting precincts. For a hassle-free, enjoyable road trip anywhere in Palawan, don’t bring your traveler knife as carrying deadly weapons is banned and punishable throughout the election period until May 21 [3].

Following the start of Boracay’s closure on April 26, many tourists have directed their attention to other beaches. Airline company Cebu Pacific said passengers on cancelled Caticlan or Kalibo flights may opt to reroute to Puerto Princesa, subject to seat availability [4].

Cebu Pacific will operate the following additional flights from April 26 to June 25: Cebu-Puerto Princesa-Cebu with flight numbers 5J 229/230 and Iloilo-Puerto Princesa-Iloilo with flight numbers 5J 263/264.

The fastest way to rebook or refund your flight will be through the Cebu Pacific website, www.cebupacificair.com, the company advises.

As part of the national government’s effort to clean up the country’s premier tourism destinations, Coron town is seeing the continuous dismantling of 75 hotels, restaurants and other tourism establishments built on the waters and within the easement zones [5].

Owners are directed to do self-demolition ahead of the May 19 deadline set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. If your accommodation happens to be included in the list of establishments up for eviction, give its staff a phone call or send them an email. Ask if they can refund your payment or maybe transfer you to another hotel.

Besides its famed island hopping activity, soon you will have another reason to visit El Nido. The municipal government recently announced that it's going to explore agro tourism to offer wanderers a new way of experiencing this interesting town [6].

A government-managed farm school is expected to rise in El Nido shortly after its groundbreaking this May. In this demo farm spanning nine hectares, visitors could pick and buy fresh vegetables and fruits.

More than a tourist spot, this farm school is the municipal government’s way of keeping up with the growing demand for food brought about by its booming tourism.