Friday, January 05, 2007

Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

The Passenger Ordeal At Cebu Pacific Kalibo

The way Cebu Pacific Airline Management and staff treated its passengers who were stranded at Kalibo Airport, Kalibo is an excellent model to follow "how to discourage tourists and visitors from coming back to Aklan". This specifically happened on Tuesday, January 2, 2007 at the Kalibo Airport, Kalibo.
Passengers of Cebu Pacific for the 10:00 o’clock in the morning Kalibo – Manila flight were at the Kalibo Airport on or before 9:00 am to be on time for check-in. While they were waiting for boarding, it was announced at about 9:45 the plane returned back to Manila for its failure to land at Kalibo Airport.
The PAL plane scheduled to land at a few minutes difference was not able to land in Kalibo too, instead it landed in Iloilo City Airport. The Cebu Pacific passengers were advised to wait for further announcement.
However, it was lunch time, yet no announcement was made – passengers waited. At 2:20 pm, it was announced the plane took off at Manila Domestic Airport and will arrive Kalibo at 2:35 pm. But 2:35 pm passed, still no plane, no announcement. Some passengers went to the check-in counter to verify what is the real situation. They were told, "the plane again returned back to Manila for it failed to land in Kalibo Airport."
The passengers got restless, some were outraged. They demanded, banging the table top at the top of their voices with unpalatable terms. They demanded that a plane be dispatched to fly them to Manila immediately. Some have connecting flights to other destinations abroad. It was no deal to Cebu Pacific Kalibo Branch Manager. The best he did was to assure them on a 3:30 flight on Friday, January 5. Some 100 passengers were hungry and tired. Some 30 passengers were able to get space at PAL, some went back to Boracay, some went to Iloilo city to catch up the earliest plane for Manila.
This airline treatment of its passengers only happened in the Philippines, specifically Kalibo. Cebu Pacific staff is wanting of the ABC in the handling of clients. They could have offered them drinks. Passengers were stranded, they could have assisted some to get accommodation at PAL. But no, they were left alone.
Three PAL planes landed at Kalibo Airport on January 2. Why did Cebu Pacific planes failed to land? This reveals the skills and proficiency of its pilots and crew members.
What happened to the Cebu Pacific passengers on January 2 is counter productive to the Aklan tourism program. This must be looked into by concerned authorities. This is a disservice to Aklan and the Aklanons.
Ati Atihan IN KALIBO
After one week, it will be Ati Atihan in Kalibo, dubbed the "mother of all festivals". This festival is being managed by the Kalibo Ati Atihan Management Board (KAMB) which is composed of also Kalibo Municipal Officials chaired by whoever is the municipal Mayor, Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo this year.
KAMB was conceptualized by the former Kalibo Mayor Allen S. Quimpo to effect a speedy collection and disbursement of funds for the festival. But, this financial statement report has became the habit of criticism from the Aklan media and others opposed to Mayor Rebaldo. May Mayor Rebaldo, after the January 2007 celebration prepares his Ati Atihan financial report as early as February?
What are the preparations done for the Kalibo Santo Niño Ati Atihan Festival 2007? What are noticeable are the decoration of Poblacion, Kalibo streets, the improvement of Pastrana Park, the visitation of a committee to hotels in Kalibo and marketing arrangement to promote the festival with local and national media. But for one thing, the national media is paid for while the local media is merely "exchange deal". The Philippines National Police (PNP) is also preparing adequate provisions for both security and traffic.
With the time remaining until January 21, the final day of the celebration, the streets of Kalibo will stay unrepaired. Mayor Rebaldo has given attention to his other projects elsewhere. Anyway, we have "pana-ad". Regardless of the quality of roads, Kalibonhons and Aklanons will still join the Sr. Sto. Niño Ati Atihan, the street dancing regardless of road quality. VIVA KAY SENIOR Sto. Niño! VIVA! /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

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