The Angkor Wat in Siem Reap Province PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY TETET TORALBA
PHNOM PENH—Beginning this month, Cambodia will be less than three hours away, thanks to direct flights that will be leaving Manila three times a week.
With Cebu Pacific airline offering direct flights from Manila to Siem Reap and back every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday starting April 19, expect an influx of more investors from both countries and the development of tourism, according to Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia Noe Wong.
The ambassador said the special air services agreement between the two nations was a result of discussions by the Joint Conference for Bilateral Cooperation held in December last year, the first in 10 years.
“We are trying to hasten..the signing of the existing memorandum of agreement on special air services…scheduled after the Asean summit before the end of April,’’ Wong said in an interview with Radio-Television Malacañang.
“This is a big thing for Filipinos here and also for Cambodia (as) it will pave the way for Cambodia to really appreciate what the Philippines is..in terms of tourism and development,’’ Wong said. “(The air agreement) would also “hasten the influx of investors from both countries,’’ he added.
Among the Philippine products being marketed in Cambodia are those of San Miguel Corp., Pure foods and United Laboratories. Mega sardines are also being sold here, Wong said.
According to the Cebu Pacific website, Cambodia-bound flights are scheduled to depart Manila at 7:50 p.m. every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, arriving at Siem Reap at 9:30 p.m. (Cambodia time is one hour behind.). Return flights will leave Siem Reap at 10:30 p.m. on the same days, and arrive in Manila at 2:10 a.m. the following day.
Originally posted: 9:01 pm | Monday, April 2nd, 2012