The cities of Sipalay in Negros Occidental and Dumaguete in Negros Oriental are now directly connected with the opening of a new bus route this week.
The Vallacar Transit Inc. (VTI) started the operation of Ceres airconditioned buses on Wednesday, May 7, a development seen to boost regional connectivity and tourism.
Sipalay City Mayor Maria Gina Lizares said the new bus route will provide convenience for the Sipalaynons and other travelers.
“We are optimistic this will further boost the city’s economy, especially its tourism industry, through the arrival of tourists from Negros Oriental and other nearby provinces,” Lizares said in a statement on Thursday.
While several permits are still being processed by the VTI management, limited trips are available for now.
The bus company assured the city government that all trip schedules will be operational by Saturday, May 10.
There are four trips daily from Dumaguete to Sipalay and five trips from Sipalay to Dumaguete, with stopovers in Hinoba-an, Bayawan City, and Siaton, at P433 for regular passengers and P346 for students and senior citizens.
Supervising tourism officer Jerick Lacson said the Dumaguete-Sipalay-Dumaguete route is “very helpful” to travelers, particularly students, and a big boost to the connectivity of tourist attractions between the two Negros provinces.
“This will provide greater convenience for Sipalaynons traveling to the other side of the island in anticipation of the full operation of the Negros Island Region. It will also make it easier for tourists from Dumaguete and Siquijor to visit Sipalay,” he said.
Lacson thanked the Department of Tourism-Western Visayas for endorsing the city government’s request for the opening of the new bus route to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.
Sipalay, the top tourist destination in Negros Occidental, is dubbed “The Jewel of Sugar Island” for its white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters that draw foreign and domestic tourists.*PNA