We have seen it happen and are seeing it again now.
Every time a storm threatens to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility, we know something would be up and every tourism stakeholder would be crossing their fingers again.
A storm entering the PAR would almost always mean flight cancellations and suspension of sea trips.
This has always been bad for Bohol, who broadcasts to the whole world that it is a tourism paradise which aspires to feed its economy with the revenues the industry generates.
Then, the shippers and sea travelers also hold their breaths. You see, a storm-induced flight or sea travel cancellation nullifies the carrier’s responsibilities. This also burdens the traveler with the discomfort of losing another holiday, and everything which he has invested in a much sought after dream vacation.
Well, for some of them, the sound of a storm brewing in the Pacific is enough to get them the latest updates from orld weather watchers and bulletins.
The wonders of today’s technology however prove to be so much for the world. Less.
The changes brought about by today’s climate makes science seem like a dart game where players hit more or less.
And when the national weather bureau failed to declare a gale warning while the coast guard saw fit to suspend trips, all the more people got confused. The Coast guard is also so mandated to call the shots when they see waves making sea trips by small crafts dangerous.
Fast crafts, Bohol’s aces on the sleeves headed off to safe harbors while the angry seas played to the stirring tempests.
But the planes, only very few are affected.
Which really states one thing. This is that which we have been saying since then.
Bohol’s precarious position in beckoning tourists can be as fickle. An inclement weather is all it takes to make this position sour.
Which pushes us to reiterate that which we have been insisting that should happen to Bohol.
While Panglao Airport is still in the beginning stages of construction and the only visible work done on it is the agitation it has caused tourism stakeholders, the need for Tagbilaran emergency apron to operate is in dire.
When planes are the only link of Bohol to the outside world when the seas get rough, then Bohol must assert to fortify this link.
Election season may be bad time for this, but it may also be a good time.
When election gives politicians the perfect reason to keep off projects, it is also elections when people can force politicians to perform better than ordinary.
So, when local leaders can always have elections as reasons for non-performing, voters can also compel politicians to finally work.
And let’s not keep the waiting, waiting.