The provincial capital of the northern part of Zamboanga is one that has scenic rolling hills and calm blue seas that are truly among nature’s wonders. Despite the fact that the city is highly 
industrialized, this part of Zamboanga has managed to retain the beauty of its many natural wonders and this is one of the many reasons that both tourists and businessmen flock here. Known as the Orchid City, if one is planning a trip to Dipolog, it will help a lot if one knew what modes of transportation are available as options to see this magnificent city.
Going on a direct flight to Dipolog is indeed very convenient especially with the facilities of the Airport and it’s not a surprise that many prefer this mode of transportation to access the city. Today, there are 4 major airlines that offer flights to Dipolog City and these are Philippine Airlines, Asian Spirit, Cebu Pacific and Zest Air. During peak season, air fare is around Php3000 to Php5000 but during off peak season, these prices are slashed down to just around Php1000.
Getting there is also possible via land with the increasing efficiency of national highways on which these types of transportation traverse on. There are buses that leave Manila daily headed for Dipolog and although the trip could take over a day, this is the most affordable and one has the opportunity to see other provinces that the bus will pass through. This type of Dipolog transportation costs about Php1000 per head. So it is not going to break the bank at least.
For those who want to travel by sea going to Dipolog this form of transportation is also possible with major shipping companies making trips to this province in Zamboanga del Norte almost 
everyday of the week. Ocean Jet, GP Lines, Super Ferry WG&A are among the maritime vessels that can safely take one to Dipolog.
When going around the city, there are various modes of transportation that one can use with jeepneys being the most common form of Dipolog Transportation and the cheapest. Tourists aren’t usually inclined to take jeepneys thinking they might get lost but here’s a tip, they travel a particular route. One can always ask the driver if it will pass by one’s destination or one can ask a local on what type of transportation to take. For short distances, it’s always the tricycle but for more comfortable rides, there are taxis in Dipolog City.
The City of Tacloban is considered to be the Heart of Eastern Visayas and the Gateway to Region Eight (in the Philippines). A visit or stay in Tacloban City would never be completed without visiting these famous landmarks and wonderful places. The Second World War had left a dent on the Filipinos psyche and to commemorate and remember the sacrifices of those who offered their lives to end the war, the local government created a memento of the event. The MacArthur Landing Memorial at Palo, Leyte displays bigger than life size and statues reenacting the historical landing of General Douglas MacArthur and his brave armed forces. Palo Metropolitan Cathedral, which is also in Palo, Leyte was once a converted evacuation hospital of the Allied Forces of Liberation during the Second World War. The place had also been the safe haven or refuge of civilians and local throughout the war. The cathedral's main altar had been gold-plated and the focal attraction of the place. This seventeenth century cathedral is a model of modern gothic church design and architecture. The Santo Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum serves as the home of priceless art objects and of course, the miraculous image of the Santo Niño or the Holy Child Jesus. This shrine and museum is located at Tacloban City. Another noted site is the Price Mansion (now the College Assurance Plan or CAP building) which was considered to be the certified or official headquarters and residence of the liberation forces headed by General Douglas MacArthur in 1944. Last but certainly not the least; tourist should visit the Leyte Provincial Capitol at Tacloban City.
The Official Seal of Tacloban City is straightforward, nonetheless conveys very strong symbolisms and meanings. The Galleon represents the ship or vessel of Ferdinand Magellan who discovered Limasawa Island where the first native Christian believers held the first ever Holy Eucharist in the Philippines. The right part of the seal represents the municipality of Leyte, where the city of Tacloban is situated. The symbolism of the municipality of Samar-the main supplier of marine and agricultural products to Tacloban City, is at the left side portion of the seal. As an added information, because of its Samar's productivity in terms of raw and natural resources, trade and commerce thrive in Tacloban City. The famous San Juanico Strait or passage is the body of water being depicted at the middle or the center of the seal.
Since Tacloban City is part of Leyte, the local government-to answer the booming tourism industry-encouraged private business to focus on travel and tours ventures. The Leyte Gulf Travel and Tours or LGTT was conceptualized out of the necessity to support and promote leisure and travel tours. Their program is duly-recognized and authorized by the Philippine Airlines or PAL. Getting updated information regarding Leyte Gulf Travel and Tours is just a few clicks away. Knowing these information would definitely help a lot regarding accommodations and travel itineraries around the wonderful places in Tacloban City.
Makati City is the National Capital Region’s and the Philippines’ business center since it is the home of the headquarters of the many of the country’s largest businesses. It is for this reason that the number of Makati transportation options has also increased to meet the needs of the public.
When traveling between nearby cities in the Metro Manila and in the Philippines, the jeepney (or jeep) is the fastest mode of transportation. Jeepneys come in different colors and in sizes ranging from 3-4 meters in length, 1.5-2.5 meters in width and approximately 2 meters in height. When the jeepneys were introduced after the World War II, they were made from the leftover US military jeeps. At present, several local manufacturing companies build the jeepneys mostly according to the preference of their client.
In Makati, in addition to the ordinary (open-air) jeepneys, there are also specialized jeeps that have an air-conditioning system and decorative designs. Most of these special jeeps just take passengers to different stops within the city of Makati. Finding a jeep in the Philippines on ordinary days is not difficult since jeeps ply their route almost anytime of the day. While riding a jeep, if you would like to ask the driver to drop you off, just say “para po” (please halt). However, if you are in the Makati Central Business District, jeepneys can only halt at the designated jeepney stops.
For long-range travel within the National Capital Region, buses are the most appropriate mode of transportation. In Makati, buses may be found on Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA), on Ayala Avenue, on Buendia Avenue and on Makati Avenue. Buses in Makati can take to the northern cities (going to Novaliches and Quezon City), southern cities (going to Baclaran and Alabang) and western cities (going to downtown Manila).
Because buses can sometimes get caught in the heavy rush hour traffic, the Light Rail Transit and Manila Metro Rail Transit are convenient alternatives to the buses on EDSA and on Taft Avenue. The LRT on Taft Avenue runs from Monumento (in the north) to Baclaran (in the south). Its closest station to Makati is found on Buendia, which is a major road going to the Makati Central Business District.
On the other hand, the MRT found on EDSA travels from North Station (in Quezon City) to Taft Avenue, where there is a footbridge link to the LRT.
A portion of Makati is bordered by the Pasig River, which runs through several cities in the Metro Manila. The Pasig River Ferry is an air-conditioned boat with a capacity of up to 150 passengers. Makati has two Pasig River Ferry stations namely the Valenzuela station and the Guadalupe station.
In addition to the mentioned modes of public transport, Makati also has tricycles (motorcycle with a side car) that can take their passengers into the villages and right in front of their homes. Taxis are also found on most of the roads in Makati.
Heavy traffic used to be as seldom as ice hailstorms in the country. But today, light traffic is almost like a miracle in Philippine transportation. Heavy traffic has become a rule rather than an exception. But enter the scooter. Both motorists and commuters have discovered a new way of surmounting heavy traffic problems through the scooter, the latest fad in transportation.
Scooters have become a popular transportation option, not only on inner roads, but even on main avenues and highways. When going to the office, the mall, or making an inter-city trek, or just plain roaming around the vicinity or visiting the park, the scooter, as a new transportation alternative, has become a favorite among a growing number of people, in cities or in provinces.
The scooter is definitely cheaper transportation than a car or a van. It takes up less diesel or gasoline. It has lesser parts to maintain, repair, or replace in case of a breakdown. It is easier to troubleshoot. And in a worst scenario---in case of a breakdown in a major thoroughfare, this transportation vehicle is easy to push, or even carry, to a safer lane for repair. No need to worry about being towed.
Parking is never a problem. This transportation option needs a mere niche for a parking space. In fact, 12 scooters can be jam-packed in a car parking slot. This mini transportation is even more a wonder at home. Especially in today’s growing concern on availability of garages at home, owning a scooter is never a problem. Scooters can be parked right inside the living room or bedroom.
This road wonder of transportation is never daunted by any heavy traffic. No matter what traffic may be threatening out there, scooters can easily squeeze in and out of road jams and bottle necks. Some scooter motorists even use the sidewalks to bypass long queues of cars. Scooters may not be as fast as other posh cars on the road, but they are able to circumvent any Manila rush-hour heavy traffic. In that sense, they’re “faster” even than the fastest sports car in the world.
Finally, even on rainy days, this transportation vehicle is still on the go. By just cladding oneself in an armor of a raincoat overall and boots, the scooter driver can be back on the road as in sunny days.
This versatile Philippine transportation trend today, riding a scooter, seems to be the perfect transportation choice very compatible to the country’s declining traffic situation.
Almost everything in Metro Manila is in a hurried pace. Even pedicabs (a manual tricycle with a sidecar) race each other to take in commuters. But it’s a different experience with the local Philippine calesa.
Inspired by the horse-drawn carriages of the Spanish elite in early times, Spanish-time Philippine transportation conceptualized the Philippine calesa. But it was a far cry from its Spanish counterpart which was elegant and more suited to the taste of Spanish elitism. The “carwaje” had stylish European features drawn by a handsome and decorated horse manned by a uniformed cavalier (just like the ones in Vigan and Fort Santiago in Manila), while this Filipino re-make was more suited for mass appeal, sometimes drawn by a small and sluggish potbellied horse driven by common folks.
Today, like the transformed Philippine jeepney and motored tricycle, this public Philippine transportation vehicle is overly dressed up and painted. From being a common side street makeshift vehicle that left a trace of horse filth along the way, the Philippine calesa is now one of the major tourist attractions in many places in the country. It is a major Philippine transportation sight in Zamboanga in the South of the Philippines, Vigan in Northern Luzon, and in Intramuros, Manila.
In the walled city of Intramuros, it is a thrilling experience to roam around the historic vicinity in a Philippine calesa. Once a visitor takes his seat in this Philippine transportation carriage, everything seems to stop. The fast city pace becomes arrested in a sudden nostalgic slow-paced tour of the walled city, taking one back to past times. For a tour fee of P250 or more (for a big group) a calesa trip will give the visitor a detailed inventory of the various historic sites in Intramuros. And coming from the calesa driver in the local dialect or in English, the P250 is a real bargain. These calesa drivers are no longer the Spanish-time common folks who plied the city route for a mere livelihood; these are well-trained tourist guides who can recite accurate details on the various sites plus a bonus of warm and enchanting public relations works. Drivers (and horses) of Philippine calesa in Intramuros can be so patient as to drop off and wait for tourists in certain Wall sites for picture taking and reflection. This Philippine transportation certainly adds tourism value to Intramuros.
The Philippine calesa is a vital legacy in Philippine transportation that benefits the tourism industry for all time. To miss riding them is to miss a part of the past.
With cities getting more congested and the thoroughfares more clogged---and the prices of fuel soaring, to top it all---the bike is a good transportation alternative.
In fact many have already opted for a bicycle for their transportation mode going to and from the office, daily. Some have alternating days for bike-riding to the work place. Many have been using bikes for cross city or even cross province treks. Biking is affordable, easy, cheaper to maintain, and good for the health. Here are some tips to further enhance the use of bikes as a transportation mode option.
Always wear a quality helmet and goggles when biking. Bike helmets are not that strong against strong impacts, but they’re better than nothing. They’re not designed for head banging competition, anyway, but for added bike transportation safety. It is expected of bikers to avoid any collision. Goggles are important to prevent dust and other small particles from hurting the eyes while biking. They also prevent perspiration from getting to the eyes. These are important transportation safety factors when biking.
Wear light and slightly fit clothes while riding a bike. Loose clothing can easily get tangled with rear view mirrors or any projecting parts from other vehicles. On the other hand, don’t wear clothes that are too tight. Free-flowing blood circulation while biking is important. Remember, this transportation mode is dependent on pedal power, and that means constant leg pumping that perks up air and blood circulation in the body. Let these processes flow freely in the body.
Always wear biking gas masks. Check the pollution level in the city one is in and make some pollution precaution accordingly. Never assume that a place has tolerable pollution levels. With the trend these days, any city in the country, and in the world, is likely to have high pollution levels. Active lungs while pumping the bike pedals would easily take in carbon dioxide. So a health safety precaution for this open transportation mode is the gas mask solution.
Leave early for work or any destination. Arriving early gives enough time for rest and shower after biking. Bring a small back pack to keep extra shirts and the office uniform, if any. A portable clothes iron may also be handy. Usually, bikes take 25 to 30 minutes to travel a 20-kilometer distance. So adjust traveling time for more rests after a sprint with this transportation option.
A practical transportation option today is a bike. It meets the demands of everyday city life.
Despite being an island, Bohol is very much accessible different modes of transportation. Here we will look at the various Bohol transportation options.
If you are coming from Manila, the most convenient and quickest mode of transportation is to book a flight to Tagbilaran City. There are three major carriers serving the airport namely Asian Spirit, Philippine Airlines, and Laoag International Airlines. While there are scheduled daily flights, the flight schedules may vary so you need to check it with the carriers.
If you are coming from another country and want to avoid Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the best thing to do is book a flight form your country of origin to Cebu City as your entry point. From Mactan International Airport, take a connecting flight to Tagbilaran City. If there are no connecting flights, another option is to spend the night in Mactan or take a boat ride going to Tagbilaran.
Sea travel is the cheaper option if you want to go to Bohol. There are different shipping lines that travel from Manila, Cagayan, Cebu, Dumaguete, and Dipolog. Majority of these ships stop at Tagbilaran City Pier while others make their stop over at Jagna, Jetafe, Ubay, Tubigon, and Buenavista.
Aside from the Super Ferry and other regular boats, there are also fastcrafts available. There are daily trips from Cebu and vice versa and you have the option to take fastcraft or regular boats. Trips from Manila and other points of origin have varying schedules during the week. For island hopping, you can rent small boats or bancas.
There are different modes of Bohol transportation once you are in the province already. Tagbilaran City has tricycles, multicabs, and aircon taxis that will take you to any point in the province. Within the city, the regular fare is P7.00. For taxis, the regular flagdown rate is P35.
From Tagbilaran City to the various towns, there are buses, aircon vans, and taxis that are available. They are easily accessible at the Pier and airport. Depending on where you are going or the duration of use, the rates will vary. Most commuters use public or mini buses located at Tagbilaran City Grand Terminal.
If you are going to the terminal from Tagbilaran City, there are tricycles, taxis, or multicabs that will take you to the Tagbilaran City Integrated Bus Terminal.
With various Bohol transportation options available at your disposal, a trip to this province will be truly worthwhile.
Traveling around cities in the Philippines can often have lots of hassles, in private or public vehicles. But travels can be made daily pleasant experiences if the following tips below are observed.
Never go out the house without informing somebody of one’s travel destination. Even with mobile phones around, it’s still advisable to let people at home know one’s travel plans and options, special or everyday travels. With mobile phones in hand, it’s good to inform a guy or two about travel status, at least every two hours.
Keep informed beforehand of the latest road lane travel policies of a locality. One-way or two-way lane policies can sometimes change over night. Traffic updates on TV or in the radio give helpful travel tips on this at times. Or better, watch out for road signs or posts.
In Metro Manila, always be aware of car plate number policies. They are called number or color coding regulated by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). Each day of the week is regulated by a specific MMDA number or color coding. If a car’s plate number falls under a specified coding for the day, it’s banned from travel in highways and streets. The travel ban is on for specific travel hours of the day.
In special group trips, make sure rented public vehicles are not overloaded and necessary travel permits are secured. In any case, no children are permitted to ride in front of any vehicle. Make sure seat belts are always strapped to the driver and passengers, and drivers are not allowed to call or text messages via cell phones. This is not just a safety travel precaution but also to avoid travel hassles. Authorities on field work are hot over erring vehicles on the road. To avoid delays and travel hassles, pay attention to these rules.
For travels on foot, never ever forget to use pedestrian overpasses and lanes. Some cities are very particular about jay walking. Some people ignore it simply due to laziness. Jaywalking can prove to be a terrible travel hassle. That’s not just about the fine. Think of the humiliation and waste of travel time waiting at a police or MMDA precinct.
Make every travel activity pleasant by learning to go by the rules. Everyone has the right to travel, but everyone is also obligated to observe travel rules. In cars or out on the streets, travel will be a joy if we know how to travel in style and in propriety.
What’s a fast route or an easy metro travel option to North Quezon City, or Novaliches and Fairview?
Going to Novaliches can be a very arduous task coming from south of Metro Manila via the Kamachile intersection where the highway splits into North Luzon Express(NLEX) and Quirino Avenue. Traffic can sometimes be a bottleneck experience even at Balintawak, EDSA. The same can be true coming from Manila via A. Bonifacio Avenue. So what can be the wisest metro travel advice or a really fast route to north of Quezon City?
A really fast route is taking Circumferential 5 or fondly called C-5 by metro motorists. At times new drivers ask where C-5 begins. Well, one can hardly tell. It’s a big circle traversing Metro Manila, and circles are known to have no beginning, no end. A good place to start coming from south of Metro Manila is to take the Villamor Exit going to FTI-Tenement.
This metro travel will end up at the C-5 Paranaque entry point. From there, it will be a long but fairly smooth sailing, passing portions of Taguig, Pasig, and the famous Eastwood district. These places afford interesting scenic sites like the Heritage Memorial, a hilly army training camp, a view of The Fort, Market Market Mall, Tiensesitas, and the classy fast food and business district of Eastwood.
After Eastwood is the long Aurora Flyover that offers a sweeping view of Marikina, Cainta, and the hills of Antipolo, landing on Katipunan Avenue, passing Ateneo de Manila and Merriam College. This fast route takes us into the UP Diliman Campus and out Philcoa area and into Quezon Memorial Circle. Then the metro travel turns right on Visayas Avenue, left on Congressional Avenue and right on Mindanao Avenue. Finally the fast route turns right on Quirino Avenue past Splash Manufacturing Company.
On Quirino the last stretch of this metro travel leads easily to Novaliches or Fairview. Together this fast route from Paranaque to Novaliches takes only one and half to two hours, compared to the traditional EDSA through NLEX route that can last from three to three and half hours.
South to north metro travel using the traditional EDSA through NLEX route can often be grueling, to say the least. But an alternative fast route can be a wise option especially in rush hour traffic. The ride not only becomes a lot faster but the sights and sounds more pleasurable and relaxing, reducing the stress of a typical metro travel.
Manila transportation takes you not only to the major thoroughfares of the city but also to anywhere in the country. Land, air, or sea, one would surely find a mode of transportation that would take them to their target destination. Here we will look at the various transportation options that are available in Manila.
As one of the major cities in the Philippines, Manila has several modes of transportation to boast of. One of the most popular public transportation in the city is the jeepney. Used since after the post-World War II years, jeepneys showcase the artistry and creativity of Filipinos. The minimum fare is P7.00 for the first 4 kilometers and an additional 50 centavos for the succeeding kilometers.
Taxi cabs are also regular fixtures in Manila transportation. This mode of transport has two kinds, the regular metered cab and FX taxis. The former will take you anywhere in the city while the latter has a limited route just like buses and jeepneys. Aside from that, regular cabs have a flag down rate of 25 pesos while FX cabs have a minimum fare of 30 pesos and can take up to 12 passengers, including the driver.
If you are looking for a really quick means to get to your destination, the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) is the best option. The LRT plies two routes – Monumento to Baclaran and Divisoria to Cainta. The MRT, on the other hand, traverses EDSA from North Avenue to Taft Avenue bypassing two important commercial centers in Ortigas and Ayala Avenue. The trains are suspended 20 – 25 feet above the major roads ensuring a traffic-free trip. However, things could get messy during the rush hours.
In some districts in Manila, one could still see horse-drawn carts plying the interiors of the city. In the old city of Intramuros, for instance, calesas can take passengers to a trip to some of the country's historical places for a minimum of P100. Another mode of transportation used in traveling to inner roads or streets is the tricycle, a motorcycle with sidecar capable of carrying up to 3 passengers. A fourth passenger can sit in the driver's seat.
Aside from public modes of transport, Manila transportation likewise offers air and sea options going to other cities and provinces. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport serves as the main entry and exit point going to domestic as well as international locations. The North and South Harbor provides maritime transportation to other parts of the archipelago.
Manila transportation is very convenient with all these options available at your disposal.