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

This week’s going to be partly sunny with some passing morning showers around, AccuWeather forecast shows [1]. If you see clouds hovering, don’t cancel your travel plans right away as the chance of seeing rain is low to moderate. During the day, you could feel the warmth of December, with the average temperature at 27 0C. At nighttime, wear your sweater as it is relatively colder, with the average temperature at 21 0C.

Commuters and motorists in Palawan should expect new routes for private and public transportation. This as the Provincial Planning Office and the Provincial Board are in the process of finalizing the route plan, which needs approval from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board [2]. The route plan is expected to solve the franchising problem of shuttle vans in the province after the police’s Highway Patrol Group implemented a crackdown this year. If you traveling in Palawan as a tourist, you can avoid hassle by picking a registered tourist van to ensure that it is following a route prescribed in the plan.

By first quarter of 2019, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) will start constructing its 300-hectare air base in Balabac, an island town in southernmost Palawan [3]. The provincial government, which purchased the area and turned it over to the PAF, said it may also serve as the location of a proposed airport to be constructed to increase tourism influx. For many years, Balabac has been off the travelers’ radar until recently. With its unspoiled beaches and the sprouting of a handful travel agencies offering packaged tours around this island town, no wonder it’s gradually gaining popularity.

The recent visit of top government officials in El Nido marked the start of a six-month rehabilitation aiming to improve the town’s water quality and to enforce coastal easement and carrying capacity policies [4]. While in El Nido, you’ll see how the national and local governments are working together to finish the town’s centralized sewage treatment plant within the given timeframe. Strolling by the beach, you might notice the demolition of easement-violating establishments. Also, since carrying capacity policy is strictly being implemented in Small and Big Lagoons, you have to reserve your slot a day before your tour.

Some 500 businesses in El Nido will now be required to follow the town’s “no environmental compliance certificate (ECC), no business permit” policy come permit renewal in January 2019 [5]. The ECC ensures business operations would not pose irreversible damage to El Nido, as it is part of a protected area. When in El Nido, do your part in helping to preserve the town’s exceptional environment by choosing a hotel, a travel agency, and restaurants with business permits. You can tell if they are legally operating if these permits are displayed visibly in their reception area and if they willingly issue official receipts.