Cebu Pacific plans direct flights to Mati

DAVAO CITY – Budget carrier Cebu Pacific plans direct flights to Mati City in Davao Oriental to boost tourism there.

Tanya Rabat-Tan, the city’s head of Investment Promotions, said in an interview the airline plans to fly propeller-driven planes to Mati but she is not aware where the flights will originate.

She said the owners of Mati Regional Airport, the Rocamora and Rabat families, are discussing with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) its reopening to commercial flights hopefully this year.

The city was visited by 292,000 tourists in 2017, a big leap from 35,000 tourists in 2013, Tan said. Once the airport is reopened the tourist arrivals to Mati, are expected to further increase.

The airport is currently open only to private planes.

Last May 4, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced it was opening for bidding the Mati Airport Development Project worth R9.7 million for the construction of a barbed wire perimeter fence. The bidding closed on June 6.

The DOTr requires the contractor to complete the fence within 150 calendar days.

Tan added that two luxury hotel brands are interested to build accommodation facilities but are waiting for developments.

Tan said Mayor Rabat also wants to maintain the cleanliness of the sea, most especially Mayo Bay and Pujada Bay, by installing a sewage system and water treatment facilities.

“The seawater in Dahican was tested. It’s was very clean, and we intend to preserve it and maintain it that way,” she said.

The official added that the city saw several interested investors to accom- modation facilities there.

At present, there are 17 resorts and 11 hotels in the city.