MANADO, Indonesia -- Garuda Indonesia’s direct flight between Manado, Indonesia and Davao, the Philippines will promote trade and tourism between the two countries, Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Leehiong T. Wee said Friday.
“The Manado-Davao direct flight by Garuda Indonesia will bring our two countries ever closer together, providing the impetus to increasing trade, development, tourism, people-to-people exchanges, between Indonesia and the Philippines,” Wee said during the ceremony prior to the maiden flight between Manado and Davao at the Sam Ratulangi International Airport here.
He said it makes perfect sense that the Manado-Davao air route be launched, as it represents the closest geographical points between the two countries.
“The cost and time savings will undoubtedly promote closer ties and cooperation between Indonesia and the Philippines,” he said, adding that this complements the recently relaunched maritime sea route powered by the Philippine-based Reefer Express Lines for the Mindanao-North Sulawesi shipping route.
Wee said President Rodrigo Duterte and President Joko Widodo recognize the importance of the connectivity.
“I share Garuda Indonesia’s belief and optimism that this will be one of many steps that will mark the 70 years of Philippine-Indonesia bilateral relations,” he said.
The event was graced by the Philippine Embassy’s 3rd Secretary and Vice Consul Jacqueline Joan S. Arquiza; Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Jakarta Commercial Attaché Jeremiah C. Reyes; Consul General Oscar Orcine of the Philippine Consulate General in Manado; Zalvieluz Maquinad, Assistance to Nationals Officer; North Sulawesi Vice Governor Steven Kandouw; PT Garuda Indonesia Airlines CEO Gusti Ngurah Askhara Danadiputra; the Tourism Ministry’s marketing development deputy assistant for Region III Ricky Fauziyani; and the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry’s director for Southeast Asian affairs Denny Abdi.
The Manado-Davao flight is scheduled every Monday and Friday. (PR)
