NEWSFLASH

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NEW FERRY CUTS TRAVEL TIME TO CAMIGUIN

Camiguin Island, Oct. 19, 1997 - It now takes only 70 minutes to reach this beautiful island from Cagayan de Oro City, thanks to Mindanao's newest fastcraft, the Royal Ferry I.

Owned and operated by the Royal Ferry Services, a 100% Filipino-owned company, the Catamaran vessel made its maiden run last month, and has been ferrying thousands of tourists and residents each day.

More than 200 passengers can be accommodated per trip, with air conditioning available to Mabuhay and Tourist class passengers. Many, though, prefer the economy section, where they can breathe in the fresh sea breeze as the craft negotiates the waters between Cagayan de Oro and Camiguin.

The Royal Ferry I makes two stop overs: Binoni on Camiguin island, and Balingoan town in Misamis Oriental, two places which used to be the jump-off points for travellers to Camiguin. Travel; time from Cagayan de Oro used to take the half of a day, with land travel from Cagayan de Oro to Balingoan, then a ferry from Balingoan to Binoni.

The Royal Ferry makes three round trips a day, making it possible for tourists to leave Cagayan de Oro at 5:45 in the morning, go on a whole day's tour of Camiguin, then take the 5:15 p.m. last trip back from Camiguin. With this schedule, tourism officials are confident that they can even attract tourists from Manila for a one day Manila-Camiguin-Manila package tour.

The 1997 Lanzones Festival, which goes on through this month, is already drawing more visitors than usual, thanks to the fast ferry service that is making this island more accessible and less formidable. The festival showcases the island's bountiful harvests and presents rituals from the area's rich cultural heritage through theater presentations, songs and street dancing.

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