This Week in Palawan (February 16 to 22, 2019)

If you’re up for adventures in Palawan, schedule it this week when most days are filled with sunshine [1]. As a worn-out city-slicker, you may find joy in having a refreshing swim or trying water sports at the beach. Not fond of sun and sand? Admire the great outdoors as you hike up a mountain instead. On Tuesday and Friday (Feb. 19 and 22), however, you’ll see a bit of rain. It’s the perfect weather to curl up in bed with a good book or to enjoy a staycation at a nice hotel that offers scenic views. Day temperature ranges from 27 °C to 30 °C, while at night it’s 18 °C to 21 °C.

The Puerto Princesa City International Airport (PPCIA) got a “one-star rating” from the United Kingdom-based Official Aviation Guide (OAG) [2]. As per the OAG “on-time performance” (OTP) data from June 2017 to May 2018, the airport had a 2018 OTP of 58.6 and 13,341 number of operations. OTP means “arrivals that take place strictly less than 15 minutes after scheduled arrival time, including cancellations.” This is the second time the PPCIA received such a rating, with the first in 2017. Among the nine Philippine airports that received the one-star rating were the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Mactan Cebu International Airport.

See Also: Stay and Save in Puerto Princesa's Budget Hotels Near the Airport

The Palawan Provincial Government is renovating Busuanga’s Calauit Safari Park in April to serve guests better [3]. With a PHP6.2 million budget, the ongoing revamp includes the rehabilitation of the information and administration buildings, as well as the construction of additional restrooms and animal shelters. Calauit Safari Park was established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1976. Currently, the 3,700-hectare safari park has 27 zebras, 21 giraffes, 24 eland, and 21 waterbucks. It is also home to calamian deers, mouse deers and different bird species. The management is also planning to bring in additional animals like horses, tigers, and lions. In 2018, the Calauit Safari Park had welcomed 4,000 visitors [4].

Single-use plastics will be banned in Puerto Princesa City starting 2020 [5]. After three years of deliberation, the City Council finally approved on February 11 an ordinance prohibiting establishments to use single-use plastics, which include plastic cups, drinking straws, cutleries, coffee stirrers, styrofoam, and bags. Violating establishments will be fined PhP1,000, PhP3,000, and PhP5,000 for the first up to third offenses, respectively. The decision to start the ban imposition next year aims at giving establishments owners enough time to adjust to the new policy. Other local government units in Palawan with similar policy are El Nido, Narra, and Brooke’s Point.

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