GMA NEWS: SEPT. 21, 2013 Cebu Pacific to increase flights to and from Zamboanga starting Sunday As another sign that Zamboanga City continues to inch its way back to normalcy, air carrier Cebu Pacific on Saturday said it will increase the number of flights to and from Zamboanga City starting Sunday. In an advisory, Cebu Pacific said the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines already announced the resumption of operations at Zamboanga Airport. The air carrier indicated that while only two flights to and from Zamboanga were scheduled for Saturday, the number will go up to six on Sunday and Monday. Zamboanga City had been the site of clashes between government troops and followers of Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari since Sept. 9. Cebu Pacific said its scheduled flights for Saturday include: 5J-853: Manila-Zamboanga 5J-854: Zamboanga-Manila Flights for September 22 and 23 include: 5J-433: Cebu-Zamboanga 5J-434: Zamboanga-Cebu 5J-851: Manila-Zamboanga 5J-852: Zamboanga–Manila 5J-857: Manila-Zamboanga 5J-858: Zamboanga–Manila "We request guests booked on these special flights to please check in at the airport early, and to cooperate with the special security procedures at the airport. Bags may be checked-in both ways," Cebu Pacific said. It added other Cebu Pacific guests originally booked on flights cancelled because of the security situation in Zamboanga still have the option to rebook or reroute to the nearest alternate station with no penalties, or get full travel fund or full refund. They may call the Cebu Pacific reservation numbers, any time even after their flights. Zamboanga port open but operations limited Meanwhile, the Philippine Ports Authority opened the Zamboanga Port but only to ensure a steady food supply, state-run Philippines News Agency reported. PNA said cargo vessels allowed to dock and depart at the city’s piers are only those that bring food supplies. It quoted port manager Liberto Dela Rosa as saying there are still no regular trips for passenger vessels at the Zamboanga Baseport. Dela Rosa said the resumption of regular trips for passengers will depend on the decision of the Crisis Management Committee and the Philippine Coast Guard. He added they will adopt a new port access control policy if and when port operations will resume regularly. Under the new policy, only passengers will be allowed to access the Corcuera Street entrance gate while only cargo vehicles are to be allowed access at the R.T. Lim Boulevard entrance gate. Private vehicles ferrying passengers will no longer be allowed to enter the R.T. Lim Boulevard access point, the PNA report said. Saturday operation of 6 Zambo banks approved A separate PNA report said the Zamboanga city Bankers and Financiers Association (ZCBFA) announced six banks are confirmed open as authorized by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. It quoted ZCBFA president Alma Paculanan as saying the following banks are open: Banco de Oro (BDO)-Jaldon BDO-Canelar One Network Bank (ONB)-Ayala ONB-Guiwan ONB-Sangali Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC)-Veterans. She said the RCBC will only open from 1-4 p.m. She added the transactions included deposit, withdrawal and check encashments. Also, she said more banks will resume operation on Monday. — VC, GMA News
Posted on: Sat, 21 Sep 2013 13:29:28 +0000