Two major airport projects in Taytay and Balabac are expected to change tourist movement across Palawan, raising concern that Puerto Princesa City could lose its long-standing role as the province’s main gateway.
Both 2nd District Rep. Jose Alvarez and 3rd District Rep. Gil Acosta Jr. said the city must strengthen its attractions or risk being bypassed as northern and southern towns prepare for direct flights.
Alvarez said Puerto Princesa must build its own draw for visitors as new airports and roads open direct routes to the north and far south.
He warned that tourism around Bataraza and Balabac will expand once power costs drop and infrastructure improves, making them new magnets for travelers.
He pointed out that many visitors now land in the city but leave immediately for El Nido or Balabac.
“Puerto Princesa must be made into a separate destination by itself. Kailangan eh,” he said.
He cited how local tourism operators are already feeling the impact.
“Kausap natin ang boat stays. Dati ang benta niya dyan sa kanyang… kung dati ₱150,000 ang benta araw-araw, ngayon 80 na lang 90. Sabi niya bakit? Sabi niya, humina talaga kami. So yan ang sinasabi ko, dapat palakasin ang tourism,” Alvarez said.
Alvarez tied Puerto Princesa’s competitiveness to cheaper and steadier electricity. He said Palawan has been cleared to access the Universal Charge for Missionary Electrification (UCME), which should bring down bills and allow refunds on earlier charges.
He is also pushing a submarine cable link to the national grid through a study with the Maharlika Investment Corporation and the National Electrification Administration.
“So therefore, by that time, kung konektado na tayo sa grid, wala ng UCME, wala ng subsidy, pero bababa na presyo,” he said.
He wants to see power rates fall to around ₱6 to ₱7 per kWh, similar to Iloilo, to make tourism operations more viable.
Alvarez also projected that Balabac will soon rival El Nido once its airport and roads are completed. The existing military runway measures about 900 meters, part of a planned 2,500-meter strip.
“Kung ₱280M siguro mga 3 taon pa bago matapos yan. Ang Balabac magiging El Nido din yan. Kung 2M na turista sa El Nido, 2M din ang Balabac,” he said.
For Puerto Princesa, Alvarez pressed for practical upgrades that will keep tourists in the city longer—such as developing an urban beach corridor, maintaining a consistent night market, and creating nightlife that complements day tours.
He urged city officials to visit other destinations that have built active evening economies and walkable bayside districts.
“So yan ang sinasabi ko, dapat palakasin ang tourism. And Puerto Princesa must be made into a separate destination by itself,” he reiterated.
Earlier, Mayor Lucilo Bayron said the city is banking on its emerging reputation as the country’s sports and cruise tourism capital to bring in more visitors and help the local economy recover from the slowdown.
He acknowledged that tourism is struggling but said Puerto Princesa is expanding its focus beyond eco-tourism.
Bayron said the city is now investing in sports, MICE, and cruise tourism as new growth pillars.
“Talagang nakakaranas na ng downturn, pagihirap, di lang sa atin kundi sa buong Pilipinas, hirap ang turismo sa ngayon,” he said.
“Siguro natatandaan nyo na ang direksyon natin sa tourism ay hindi lang tayo magpo-focus sa eco-tourism… ngayon pumu-focus na rin tayo sa sports tourism, MICE tourism, at cruise tourism,” he said.
Rep. Acosta, in a separate interview on November 9, said the city government must begin crafting concrete plans now to strengthen its tourism base.
He warned that Puerto Princesa could lose ground if it fails to prepare, especially as northern Palawan invests heavily in tourism.
“At present, we may not yet feel the effects because it’s still cheaper to fly through Puerto Princesa City,” Acosta said. “But when the time comes that the airfare to northern Palawan goes down, the city will definitely be affected.”
Acosta said he is looking five to 10 years ahead, stressing the need for Puerto Princesa to adapt to changing times.
He noted that the province, along with Rep. Rose Salvame, is already improving the Taytay Airport to serve the rising number of tourists visiting El Nido.
“Ang bread and butter natin is tourism maliban lang kung hindi tayo aware na may iba palang priority. Pag hindi tayo nakasabay at ang El Nido o ang Taytay ay magkaroon ng sariling airport to cater ang mga turista sa El Nido, delikado ang lungsod ng Puerto Princesa. Dapat ngayon pa lang ay mag-develop na tayo,” he said.
He also said even the Underground River, the city’s main attraction, must be made more accessible.
“Pag pumunta ka ng Puerto, it is a must na pumunta ka ng Underground pero marami sa mga turista ang parang ayaw nga pumunta kasi paikot-ikot man ‘yung daan. Ayusin natin kasi ‘yun man ang bread and butter… otherwise, pag pinabayaan natin ito at umunlad nang umunlad ang turismo sa ibang lugar, disgrasya talaga,” he said.
Acosta urged better coordination between government and private stakeholders to address emerging tourism issues.
He said the appeal is meant to help Puerto Princesa’s economy grow and remain competitive with other parts of Palawan now investing in new attractions and direct travel routes. (with a report from Chris Barrientos)
