This Week in Palawan (July 31 to August 6, 2022)

Palawan tops at 11th place in the list of The 25 Best Islands in the World by a New York-based travel magazine, under Travel and Leisure.

The magazine cites Palawan as the ‘ever-popular’ island, garnering the same praises as Boracay—a tropical paradise boasting the bluest waters, white-sand beaches, abundant flora, and fauna, and vast and lively marine life. [1]

The Department of Tourism (DOT) lauded this recognition, along with other islands in the Philippines—Boracay topping 9th on the list, and Cebu ranking 16th.

The islands featured in the magazine were rated according to their respective top attractions, sights, activities, food and dining, beaches, friendliness, and overall value of each tourist spot.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco says that the Philippines is truly a blessed country, filled with beautiful natural resources, the warmth of the Filipino people, and pure talent. Frasco expresses sincere gratitude for joining forces in moving forward amidst the situation of the pandemic, making the Philippines recognized all over the world as home to one of the most beautiful islands. [2]

On the other side of Palawan news, Puerto Princesa entices tourists to experience the various shades of comfort and hospitality, endless adventures, and more at the heart of Palawan.

As the country hopefully sees the pandemic shift to an endemic, revenge travel is highly expected. Travel mobility in the Philippines, both from foreign and local tourists, is back again to pre-pandemic levels, making Puerto Princesa a place travelers should not miss.

The Chairman of the Committee of Transportation in the City Council of Puerto Princesa says that the city is not yet ready for Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization.

According to the Councilor Atty. Nesario Awat, who coordinated with the said group, the Driver and Operator Association in Puerto Princesa City, has requested the program’s extension before its implementation.

As of July 25, the said association would need to submit a route plan that would require the Land Transportation Franchising & Regulatory Board’s approval, which is the implementation of the proposed modernization.

In this PUV modernization in Palawan, old models of multi-cab vehicles shall be phased out. Vehicle operators and drivers at Puerto Princesa shall talk with the transport authorities about the PUV modernization. With this, the latter expresses that ample time for the preparation is needed by the committee and transport sector.

According to Councilor Awat, the staff and drivers of the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) are set to meet with other transportation sectors to discuss the modernization implementation.

There is expected that a transport cooperative to be organized before replacing and buying new models of multi-cab vehicles. It is as soon as the modernization is finalized and implemented.

Route changes are also expected upon implementing the said PUV modernization in Palawan.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. includes the El Nido transport terminal in his restoration projects, as he declared last July 25 in his first State of the Nation Address. Marcos says he aims to pursue this project successfully during his 6-year reign as president of the Philippines.

Marcos already ordered the Department of Transportation to go ‘full speed ahead’ on the said infrastructure projects in the country.

Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO) cites that it sees renewable energy as a source of electricity in some parts of the cities of Palawan and Puerto Princesa.

PALECO Director Chairman Jeffrey Tan-Endriga said they are considering having an investor who might establish a renewable energy source in the province of Palawan. He also added that interested investors currently aim to develop renewable energy sources like Biomass in the municipality of Brookes Point and a solar farm in the city of Puerto Princesa.

Visit Yoorekka Magazine for more travel and COVID-19 updates and guidelines in Palawan!