High travel costs, weak infrastructure and unreliable basic services must be addressed before Palawan brings in more tourists, netizens said following the provincial government’s call for wider tourism promotion.
Their comments came after Governor Amy Roa Alvarez disclosed that flights to Palawan had fallen from more than 20 to about seven a day during the low season.
Alvarez said the reduction in flights and the oil crisis had affected tourist arrivals. She expressed hope that flight frequency would recover by November or December.
But Facebook users said airfare was only one of several barriers discouraging people from visiting the province.
Facebook user IBM said Palawan must first address public safety, electricity, clean water, waste management, roads, public transportation, and hospital capacity.
“Kapag natugunan ang basic – yung Palawan is ready to accept ng bisita. Parang bahay – kung yung bahay natin ay hindi maayos – nakakahiyang tumanggap ng bisita,” IBM wrote.
Gladys Lapiña Abad said Palawan had much to offer, but visitors continued to face practical problems.
She added that making travel easier and more affordable would improve the experience of visitors to Puerto Princesa.
“Yes, Palawan has so much to offer, but the pain points for travelers are real expensive airfare, high transport/tricycle fares, costly tours, limited facilities & infrastructures, brownouts, clean water, limited public transportation,” Abad wrote.
Jay Macawili also raised concerns over the cost of accommodations, entrance fees and basic goods, particularly in Coron.
“Maliban sa taas ng airfare sumobra po tlga ung presyuhan sa accommodation, entrance fee ng mga tour destination, maging mga presyo ng bilihin mukhang wla na sa control,” Macawili wrote.
Bella Amma said tours remained affordable but airline tickets had become too costly.
“Affordable naman ang mga tours… problema ang ticket sa eroplano, napakamahal, mas mura pang magbyahe sa Asian countries real talk lang po,” she wrote.
Another Facebook user, Sy Javier Matteo, questioned whether Puerto Princesa offered enough value to attract tourists compared with El Nido and San Vicente.
“Its 2026, low season or not, nobody wants to visit Puerto Princesa anymore. Aside from everything is overpriced, Everything else is very basic. No wow factor like El Nido or San Vicente,” Matteo wrote.
Matteo said some tourists now preferred to fly directly to El Nido and called on the local government to improve Puerto Princesa’s tourism offerings.
Meanwhile, the Palawan Tribes and Festivals Facebook page called for more investment in culture, festivals and local artists, saying the province should promote more than its beaches and natural attractions.
“Listen to the voices of Palawan’s local choreographers. Hear their ideas. Understand their vision. Dive deep into their creativity—because Palawan has so much more to offer than just beautiful beaches,” the page said.
It cited Iloilo’s support for barangay festivals, choreographers and performers as an example of how long-term cultural investment could strengthen tourism.
Alvarez acknowledged that traveling to Palawan remained expensive.
She said some Filipinos could spend less on a trip to Vietnam than on visiting the province.
“That’s the whole point kasi minsan mas mura pa pagpunta sa Vietnam kaysa Palawan po,” Alvarez said.
She said increasing the number of flights and tourist arrivals could help create more options and bring down travel costs.
The governor also cited the need to improve airports. She said the provincial government had discussed with the Department of Transportation the extension of the runway and construction of a new terminal in Coron.
The project, expected to be completed during the second half of 2027, could allow the airport to accommodate Airbus aircraft and direct international flights. Runway lights are also needed to allow flights beyond 5 p.m., Alvarez said.
The provincial government is also working with a Manila-based company to rebrand Palawan and develop a new tourism campaign for domestic and international markets.
Alvarez announced the plans during the press conference for the Palawan World’s Best Island Travel and Trade Expo 2026 at Princesa Garden Resort in Puerto Princesa City on Wednesday, August 19.
The expo, scheduled in Cebu from October 23 to 25, will showcase Palawan’s destinations, products, culture and business opportunities.
