Now that everyone can fly

Since local airlines launched their promos for cheap fares, I noticed that their airplanes have been ferrying more passengers. In the past, it was possible not to be seated beside anyone when I traveled by myself. I have not seen an empty seat in the Manila-Cebu or Cebu-Manila flights (or at least, not in the economy section) that I have taken.

In the past, the crowds sending off loved ones at the departure area outnumbered the passengers. When I reached the lounge near the boarding gate, there would be less people and I could read a book in peace. That is no longer the case now. The Mactan airport’s waiting lounge, for example, is always crowded. There are throngs of Filipino families and groups of friends sporting dark tans and carrying bags filled with lechon, otap, dried mangoes, and other Cebuano products. The usual foreign tourists are still there but more Filipinos seem to be traveling now.

“Now everyone can fly,” is the slogan of a budget airline. I’m glad that cheaper airfares have made it possible for more Filipinos to see more of the Philippines. I’ve been lecturing my son on the benefits of domestic tourism, including the multiplier effect that consumer spending here instead of abroad will bring. I like to imagine the formula I memorized in college working, visualizing tourists keeping our economy afloat in the midst of the global financial crisis. After all, even developed countries are counting on tourism to help them in these times.

I just hope that ecological and cultural values are not sacrificed for the economic benefits of tourism. I’m still haunted by the sight of a mound of empty mineral water bottles in a white sand beach near one of the famous dive sites in Batangas. It was disgusting to swim and then find wrappers of junk food floating beside me. It reminded me of a time when a lot of personal effects washed up on the shores of Boljoon (probably from a capsized boat).

Congress recently passed the Tourism Act of 2009 and it is expected to be signed into law anytime soon. This early, some sectors are complaining that the Tourism Act will have the effect of commodifying culture, increasing prostitution, and depriving farmers of farmland, among other detrimental effects.

These are valid fears. While “sustainable tourism” is a familiar term in discussions about cultural heritage and ecotourism, current practices show that this principle is not taken seriously. One just has to look at all the illegal structures being built in Cebu’s beaches. I’m afraid that coliform contamination similar to the one in Boracay a few years ago will be identified in more places in the Philippines.

Pro-active local government units have ordinances protecting the environment and cultural heritage. The Supreme Court expressly recognized the power of a local government unit to enact an ordinance protecting the marine environment with the landmark case of Tano v. Socrates (G.R. No. 110249, August 21, 1997, 278 SCRA 154) involving Palawan. Vigan, a World Heritage site, has ordinances protecting its cultural heritage. But what of the rest of the country?

“Lakbayan” is a web application that shows and allows a person to discover how much of the Philippines he/she has been to. It gives one a grade, with those who saw more of the country getting an A. I got a C+ the last time I took the test in 2007. I still dream of seeing more of the Philippines and hope that when I get around to doing so, I won’t be seeing just dirty beaches and contrived fiestas.”

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