Direct flight from Cebu to Ilocos mulled

CEBU, Philippines - Officials of Cebu and Ilocos Norte are planning of establishing a direct flight between the two provinces.

Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said the establishment of a direct flight was one of the items discussed in a meeting with Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos and members of the Ilocos Norte. The Ilocos Norte officials were in Cebu for a “Lakbay Aral.”

“Usa sa gi-discuss gahapon ang possibility of asking the board, requesting for a direct flight between Laoag and Cebu, so ang board nato dinhi mupasar ug resolution ‘nya ang ila sad,” Magpale told reporters last Friday.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia will then communicate with local airlines to formally ask to establish the route.

“It will be good for both provinces… This will open commerce between the two provinces,” Magpale said. Normally, it would take a passenger up to 10 hours of land travel or a plane ride from Manila to reach Ilocos Norte. On top of this is the travel to Manila from the point of origin.

“Daghang Ilocano gusto muari og Cebu as far as tourism is concerned,” Magpale said.

Aside from the plan for a direct flight, the controversial issue of cybersex also cropped up in the meeting with the Ilocos officials, Magpale said.

“Siguro nakabasa sila og cyberpornography diri sa Cebu so I was also asked how we did it. Ako sila gi-explainan. They said it is also observed na duna na sa ila pero di pa kaayo grabe, tago pa,” she said.

The Ilocos officials also reportedly asked for a sample of the locator chart and laminated copy of a piece of paper that contains the provincial government’s core values that each employee of the Capitol brings with him all the time.

Magpale explained that the core values stipulated in the paper were identified by the personnel themselves during a capability building seminar and team building activity conducted after she assumed as vice governor. Magpale assumed the post following the death of the late Gregorio Sanchez last June.

“Gi-laminate na nya kada usa musuot to remind them. I told them that when I entered office, kontra ko nilang tanan, 68… sige sila og libak nako, but I swore I will win you over, whoever will remain,” Magpale said.

Magpale said the succulent taste of the Cebu lechon caught the fancy of the Ilocos officials, but as a Cebuano, she had to keep the secret.  (FREEMAN)