Prof. Yasonna Laoly, Indonesia’s Minister of Law ang Human Rights, has promised to talk with his country’s national carrier, Garuda Indonesia, about the revival of the airline’s Davao-Manado route.
“Previously, we had a direct flight from Manado to Davao, aside from a ferry from Bitung to Davao and vice versa but it had to be stopped due to the pandemic,” the minister said.
Professor Laoly was in Davao City over the weekend to lead the distribution of passports and non-immigrant visas to Indonesian citizens that belong to the Persons of Indonesian Descents (PIDS) residing in Davao City and Mindanao at the Indonesian Consulate General in Davao City.
He promised that once home, he would talk to Garuda, adding that the governor of Manado is a very close friend.
The Davao-Manado route was relaunched on September 27, 2019 but halted in mid-March of 2020 following travel restrictions due to the pandemic.
The service is said to be part of Garuda’s effort to provide seemless connectivity for passengers of both countries.
Minister Laoly’s initiative augurs well for the Philippines’ desire to revive travel and tourism.
On the side, Minister Laoly also met with Secretary Mabel Sunga-Acosta of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa) to discuss economic partnerships, particularly in the construction of the Mindanao Railway Project (MRP), and the promotion of Halal food and beverages and also processed food.
Dabawenyos who are very familiar with Manado and in fact have experienced very warm relations with its people should never miss taking advantage of these business opportunities that present themselves many times over.
