Travel Agency In Surigao

Before I throw this small piece of paper which I recently got at the Surigao Airport on my way back here in Manila, let me share this information with you which you might find helpful in the future.

As you can read in the image shown above, there is a travel agency in Surigao where you can purchase your PAL and AIRPHIL tickets.  This is really convenient for those who are residing in the city proper.  They do not have to run to the Airport, which is about four kilometers away, a distance which natives already consider as FAR.

Surigao is such a small place but over the years, it has grown and developed into a city with promising opportunities.  In fact, businesses has began sprouting that I wouldn't be surprised if one day, Surigao will be recognized as one of highly-urbanized cities in the country.

How's that? :)

New Schedule

I got a text the other day from Air Philippines informing me of the new schedule for Manila-Surigao (v.v) flight.  Here it goes:

Schedule Change Alert:  Flights to SURIGAO beginning 10 September-UFN has been rescheduled.  Your flight 2P65 will now depart at 11:30AM.  Check-in 2hours before the flight at NAIA Terminal 3.  We regret any inconvenience.  More info?  Please call (632) 855 9000 from 6:00AM to 10:00PM or visit www.airphilexpress.com.

As gathered from the Air Philippines' website, the said flight was indeed rescheduled.   Shown below are the screenshots taken:

Cancelled Flight

What will you do if you get this message:

Few months ago, I was happy when I learned that Cebu Pacific finally placed a direct flight to Surigao from Manila.  It would surely give convenience and choice to travelers like me who shudder long trips.  But when your pre-booked direct flight is cancelled and you are given a connecting flight like this:

you don't have any choice but to take it especially when you bought it on promo.  The good thing in it, however, is that you will be given the privilege to change your flight date without paying for the rebooking fee and other applicable charges.  That's what I did.  I moved my flight schedule to a later date to accommodate an unforseen commitment.

But then, the fact remains that I still have to bear with more than an hour of waiting at Mactan Airport.  Well, what exactly happened during my recent trip was far from boring.  I traveled with my family.  And we met my brother and his family at Mactan Airport.  Hence, one hour stay in Cebu was not enough.  To cut it short, we were not able to keep track of the time and before we knew it, we were on our way to Surigao.

I could say, some inconveniences are indeed just blessings in disguise...

It's Indeed Sure na Sure to Surigao!

Here's an excuse for Surigaonons to celebrate about:  Cebu Pacific will be offering a direct flight to Surigao from Manila starting June 17 of this year.  Not only that, the budget airline is having a seat sale of P999 all-in! for direct flights to Surigao!  Isn't it great?!

Well, you better hurry.  This promo period lasts only until tomorrow, May 7.  Travel should be made between June 17 - September 30, 2010.

To visit Cebu Pacific website, please click this link.

Cebu Pacific's Seat Sale

Cebu Pacific is having another seat sale for all domestic destinations.  Promo fare costs P999, all-in!  However, this applies to direct flights only.  When traveling to Surigao from Manila, one has to take a connecting flight via Cebu.  Hence, total fare costs twice the promo fare.

With this, I just hope that Cebu Pacific would be offering direct flights to Surigao very, very soon.  Connecting flights not only consumes time of impatient passengers but also drains the pocket of budget-conscious travelers, just as in this case when one has to pay double the promo rate.  Cebu Pacific should have at least consider connecting flights in its vast promotion of "all" domestic destinations.

For the meantime that neither direct flights nor promo fare for connecting flights is not yet made available for Surigaonons like me and for visiting tourists, I suggest one may buy a ticket for a direct flight to Butuan and from there, ride a Bachelor bus which will take you to Surigao.  I recently mentioned this in my other blog: houseforsalebutuan.blogspot.com.

Hey, did I mention that seat sale lasts until tomorrow April 8 and that travel period is from June to August 2010 only?  Grab now your credit cards and click this! :)