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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Anong nagpamahal?': Matugas backs House inquiry on pricey Siargao airfares

'Anong nagpamahal?': Matugas backs House inquiry on pricey Siargao airfares

Published Aug 20, 2025 01:32 am

At A Glance

  • For Surigao del Norte 1st district Rep. Francisco "Lalo" Matugas, air travel must be fair, affordable, and accessible. Especially if it's to Siargao, which is located in his province.
Siargao (Unsplash)
Siargao (Unsplash)


For Surigao del Norte 1st district Rep. Francisco “Lalo” Matugas, air travel must be fair, affordable, and accessible. Especially if it's to Siargao, which is located in his province.
Matugas has expressed strong support for the proposed House inquiry on the steep rise in airfare prices to the country’s top tourist destinations, particularly Siargao.
The Mindanao lawmaker, co-author of House Resolution (HR) No. 30, urged the House Committee on Transportation to immediately conduct the inquiry, in aid of legislation, into what he described as an “unreasonable burden” for travelers.
“As vice chairman of the Committee on Transportation, I will make sure that this inquiry leads to concrete solutions. Air travel must be fair, affordable, and accessible because when we keep our skies open, we also keep opportunities open for our people,” Matugas said.
He stressed that the outcome of the probe will be crucial not only for travelers but also for the livelihoods of communities that rely on tourism in the area.
Matugas thanked the resolution’s principal author, Ilocos Sur 1st district Rep. Ronald Singson, for taking the lead in filing the measure.
House members are raising alarm over the soaring cost of domestic flights, particularly to top leisure destinations such as Siargao, as reports surfaced of roundtrip tickets reaching as high as ₱30,000.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr), led by Secretary Vince Dizon, has likewise summoned airline executives for a meeting to explain the steep ticket prices despite stable fuel surcharges set by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).
Legislators pointed out that while external factors such as global fuel prices impact operations, the price discrepancy between popular destinations like Siargao, Boracay, Cebu, Bohol, and Palawan and other local routes of similar distance is highly questionable.
HR No. 30 underscores the need for the government to consider safeguards, including temporary price caps, to prevent consumers from being unfairly burdened and to ensure that tourism growth is not hampered by prohibitive travel costs.
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