The provincial government on Tuesday assured the public particularly tourists that Bohol remains safe even amid the ongoing conflict in Marawi City, which is roughly 200 km. away south of the province in the separate island of Mindanao.

In its latest travel advisory, Governor Edgar Chatto and other local officials vouched for the province’s safety noting that it remained unaffected by the “peace and order problem in Mindanao.”

“Bohol is part of the Visayas area which is far from Mindanao region where Marawi City is located,” the advisory said. ”The island province is not in any way directly connected with air, sea or land transport from Marawi City.

The advisory also highlighted the launching of new Philippine Airlines flights which will connect Bohol to South Korea and Clark, Pampanga starting June 22.

“The best proof is the launching of roundtrip daily direct flights from Incheon, South Korea and Clark, Pampanga to Tagbilaran City, Bohol,” it added.

Other signatories of the travel advisory were Bohol Association of Hotel, Resorts and Restaurants president Romel Gonzales, Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Albert Uy, Provincial Tourism Council PRO Peter Dejaresco, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Arnulfo Matanguihan and Bohol Police Provincial Office director Senior Supt. Felipe Natividad.

Earlier, a media launch was held at the Bellevue Resort in Panglao where PAL’s senior vice president for corporate communications Atty. Siegfred Mison officially announced the maiden flight.

The direct flight from South Korea to Tagbilaran City is a “breakthrough” considering that Bohol’s capital is just one of a few cities in the country which has opened a direct flight abroad. (Allen Doydora)