INOPACAN, LEYTE and the INOPACNONS: May 2011

HOW TO GET TO INOPACAN FROM LUZON:

Inopacan, Leyte Google Map: Click here

BY LAND

1.) SELF DRIVING

You can drive all the way to Inopacan from anywhere in Luzon. Just find your way along the Maharlika Highway (a.k.a. Pan-Philippine Highway) going south - to Bicolandia. Be sure that your car is of very good running condition as the road going to Inopacan is very very long. It may take you 30 hours to 2 days of driving, or even more, from Metro Manila depending on how fast you are driving and how many times you will have a stop over along the way.

Be sure to bring with you also the motor registration of your car and some identification cards as they are needed when ferrying your car upon reaching the tip of Bicol peninsula which is in Matnog, Sorsogon. There, you will have to cross the sea through the Matnog Ferry Boat Terminal for you to get to the island of Samar.

You can have many stop over along the way as you like as there are many beautiful sceneries along the way. You may happen to see the majestic Mayon Volcano if you pass by Legazpi City or Albay province at daytime (and if the sky and weather is good).

After cruising the highway in Samar, you will surely cross the long and winding San Juancio Bridge that connects Samar and Leyte. Continue driving along the Maharlika Highway until you reach Inopacan along the western coast of Leyte.

Matnog Ferry Terminal at the tip of peninsula in Bicolandia (Sorsogon province).

2.) COMMUTE

You can take a bus ride from Metro Manila to Leyte. Check bus schedules in Cubao bus terminal in Quezon City. Check also the bus stations along EDSA in Pasay City. Travel time from Metro Manila to Inopacan is around 22 to 24 hours with the usual stop-over in Calamba City (Brgy. Turbina bus stop), Quezon province (either in Brgy. Buensuceso of Gumaca or in Atimonan), Camarines Sur (Naga City), Sorsogon (Matnog Ferry Terminal), Samar (Calbayog City or Catbalogan City), Leyte (Tacloban City and Baybay, or Ormoc City).

Try to check also with TravelMart for other bus transports that offer cross-country travels in the Philippines.

Among the bus companies that offer rides to Leyte from Manila include Philtranco, Ultrabus, and CUL. The Bachelor Express offers rides from Davao to Leyte. Check the following links for images and comments/reviews:

Other fees:

Ferry Boat Fare - P120.00 (as of May 2011)
Terminal Fee - 11.20 (as of May 2011)
Regulatory Fee - 5.00 (as of May 2011 - Only in Allen Terminal)
Insurance Fee - 20.00 (as of May 2011 - Optional/Non-obligatory)

Before I forgot, you have to pay for every use of toilet in the bus stops. The bus stops could be an eatery or provincial restaurant. You may find most of these toilets not well maintained or ill-equipped, while some are not hygienically maintained. The common charge/fee are the following:

urinate (pee) - P5.00
defecate (pooh) - P10.00

They do not provide toilet paper. So don't forget to bring a roll of tissue paper when you travel by bus. Or else, you will settle yourself in using tabo (a handy dipper, for you to scoop water using one hand and wash-wipe your butt using the other hand)

Land trip from Metro Manila to Leyte include a ferryboat ride upon reaching Matnog, Sorsogon. Ferry boat fare (P120 as of May 2011) is not included in your bus fare, so you have to pay it separately.

Some bus companies would include it in the price of your bus ticket. In some cases, it is the Conductor who would collect your payment for the ferry boat ride. Claim your Ferry Boat Ticket from your bus Conductor at the ferry terminal pre-departure area. You can also have the option of buying your Ferry Boat Ticket by yourself at the port terminal's Ticketing Window.

Upon reaching the ferry boat terminal, all passengers are required to disembark from the bus to buy Ferry Boat Ticket at the Ticketing Window. Those who already paid their Ferry Boat Ticket to the bus company or to the conductor, will have to wait the Conductor to come into the pre-departure area for the distribution of the Ferry Boat Tickets. Present your bus ticket to the Conductor to claim your Ferry Boat Ticket from him.

Before boarding the ferry boat, you are also required to pay the Terminal Fee of P11.20 (as of May 2011). You will be issued another ticket for this.

In some cases, a Municipal Ordinance may also require you to pay additional fee of P5.00 (as of May 2011) as Regulatory Fee.

BEWARE of fake Manifest of Ferry Boat Passengers - Be aware of those sitting by the table or standing at the entrance gate of the ferry terminal asking you to buy a ticket worth about P20 (as of 2011) and would misrepresent by asking you to write your name in manifest-like sheet of paper. The real Manifest of Boarding Passengers must have the heading/name of the local coast guard office, not the name of an Insurance Company. The real manifest is often placed inside the Ferry Boat or at the Pre-departure Area and is guarded by a coast guard officer of uniformed crew from the Ferry Boat. You are not obliged to buy insurance ticket, unless you like to buy one. You can refuse if you don't want that ticket.

When you have all the tickets, proceed to board the upper decks of the ferry boat, you have to stay there in the entire duration of the voyage. The bus will roll into the lower deck of the ferry boat. Passengers are not allowed to stay in the bus while it is in the ferry boat. Be sure to know, memorize and always remember the body number or plate number of your bus. Avoid the confusion in telling which one is your bus especially when all the buses around have the same name and their color and sizes look perfectly similar.

Upon reaching the port of destination in Allen or San Isidro in Northern Samar, the bus will roll out from the hull of the ferry boat and will park near the exit of the terminal to wait for the passengers to board in. Immediately look for your bus and board in it. Otherwise, you will be left behind (that would be a big problem if your luggage are traveling ahead of you). It is therefore important before hand to know and memorize the body number or plate number of your bus so you will not get lost in finding your bus or get the wrong bus that may bring to a wrong destination (it is a big problem if you are traveling away from your luggage).

If you forgot the bus number, check your bus ticket, chances are it is listed there.

BY SEA

Tacloban City pier area.

There is no boat trip to Inopacan direct from Metro Manila or anywhere else in Luzon. However, you can have an overnight passenger boat ride from Manila North Harbor to Tacloban City, to Cebu, or to Ormoc City. Check available boat schedules posted by bar kota.

When in Tacloban City, Cebu City, or Ormoc City, proceed to any of the routes, below.

BY AIR

Ninoy Aquino International Airport - NAIA2 (left)
Manila Domestic Airport - MIA (right)

Mactan International Airport in Lapu-lapu City, Mactan Island, Cebu.

There is no airport in Inopacan, Leyte. The nearest airport is in Tacloban City or Cebu City.

From Tacloban City, proceed to Inopacan by land travel (by bus or by commuter van; choose any of the routes, below).

From Cebu City, proceed to CEBU-HILONGOS-INOPACAN ROUTE (see below) or CEBU-ORMOC-BAYBAY-INOPACAN ROUTE (see below)

Ormoc City and Hilongos would sometime open their small airports to domestic flights but could accommodate only small aircrafts - usually a chartered flights or private plane. Check with the South East Asian Airline (SEA Air) or the Air Philippines for their seasonal inter-island flights from Manila/Cebu to Ormoc or Hilongos.

Philippine Airlines (PAL), Cebu Pacific Airlines, Air P hilippines and Zest Airways offer direct flights daily from Manila to Tacloban City. Board a plane at the Ninoy Aquino International Aiport (NAIA) in Metro Manila. The plane bound for Tacloban City will land at the Daniel Z. Romualdez (DZR) Airport in Brgy. San Jose, Tacloban City.

From the DZR Airport, you can take a taxi cab. Taxi fare from the airport to downtown (City proper) range from P100 to P200. However, taxi cab is very few that sometimes you cannot find them at the airport. If ever you will find one, just try to haggle with the cab driver as their fare rate is always based on verbal contract, not a flag down rate. There are also some Jeepneys waiting at the airport's parking area that offer P20/head fare, only that you have to wait until the jeepney gets full of passengers before it go downtown. Jeepneys may charge you extra for your big luggage.

Then, when you are downtown in Tacloban City, choose the next route to take.

SAMAR-TACLOBAN-INOPACAN ROUTE:

Duptour commuter van plying the Catbalogan or Guiuan-Tacloban-Ormoc route

COMMUTER VAN (VAN FOR HIRE): If you are from Samar, take the Catbalogan-Tacloban or Guiuan-Tacloban trip, then transfer to Tacloban-Maasin trip vans in Tacloban City to get you to I nopacan.

Commuter van trips from Maasin City would also bring you to Inopacan if you travel from Southern Leyte or in any of the towns west of Inopacan, such as in Matalom, Bato, Hilongos and Hindang.

The Tacloban City New Transport Terminal in Brgy. Abucay, Tacloban City is where you can find all sorts of commuter vans for your travel anywhere in Leyte and Samar islands.

In Tacloban City, take the Tacloban-Maasin trip to get to Inopacan. The following are commuter van terminals in Tacloban City that offer rides to Inopacan, Leyte:

Van Van terminal- Salazar St., Tacloban City near the Hotel D'Angelo, or just across the Young's Marketing

Grand Tours terminal - Now at their new terminal near the Tacloban City Post Office nearby the port area.

Duptours terminal - Imelda Avenue, Tacloban City across the main gate of Liceo del Verbo Divino (formerly the Divine Word University or DWU)

Tacloban New Transport Terminal - Brgy. Abucay, Tacloban City (beside the Tacloban New Bus Terminal). You will find all the commuter vans here with travel routes anywhere in Leyte and Samar.

GT Shuttle and GT Express transport vans in Tacloban City

There are two kinds of commuter vans plying the routes in Leyte and Samar islands:

1) GT Shuttle - offers ride to any point in Region 8 (e.g. from Tacloban to any town anywhere in Leyte and Samar)

2) GT Express - offers ride to specific points (e.g. from Tacloban to Maasin, and vice versa)

More often, this distinction is not followed. Just proceed to the van terminals (see above) for available commuter van for the route you are going to take.

To avoid the hassle of transferring from car to car (as if you opt to take a cutting trip routes as mentioned, below), buy a ticket at the van terminal for a direct trip of Tacloban-Maasin or Tacloban-Hilongos and tell the driver or conductor that you are bound for Inopacan so that you will be issued the right fare. If it is your first time to go to Inopacan and not sure where to disembark, it would help if you tell the driver that you don't know where Inopacan is and ask them to drop you by when the van gets there.

Take note that commuter van has a very limited space. Drivers may refused to accept big or too many luggage. Ideally, you are only allowed to bring at least two average-sized traveling bags and few hand-carry items.

If you are traveling with big or too many luggage, take the bus at the New Tacloban Bus Terminal. Hire a multicab (small-sized jeepney, and are plenty in the city) or taxi (if you find one around) to haul your luggage to the bus station. You may also hire the ubiquitous tricycles (motorcycle with a side car) and pedicabs (tribike powered by foot pedals).

TRAVEL TIME:
Approximate travel time from Tacloban to Inopacan by commuter van (van for hire):

Tacloban-Ormoc-Baybay-Maasin(or Hilongos) route = 3.25 hours
Tacloban-Mahaplag-Baybay-Maasin (or Hilongos) route = 2.45 hours

(If you travel back to Tacloban from Inopacan, the van would normally detour to the DZR Airport as it is their priority to send off passengers bound to the airport before proceeding to the New Tacloban Transportation Terminal. The detour would take another 30 to 45 minutes for the van to get back to the national road. Passengers bound to the airport has to pay P50 additional fare)

Last trip for commuter van is usually at 6:00 p.m. only. However, on peak seasons, such as on Fridays (end of school and office days in a week), on the day before a holiday, the last trip may extend up to 7:00 p.m..

Approximate travel time from Tacloban to Inopacan by bus (ordinary bus & aircon bus):

Tacloban-Ormoc-Baybay-Maasin(or Hilongos) route = 5 hours (ordinary); 4 hours (aircon)
Tacloban-Mahaplag-Baybay-Maasin (or Hilongos) route = 4 hours (ordinary); 3 hours (aircon)

Unfavorable weather or road condition and some engine trouble or tire change may extend travel time for few hours.

Ormoc City's bus terminal is by the seaside, beside the long-time Don Felipe Hotel

ROUTES FOR THOSE WHO LIKE TO TAKE A CUTTING TRIP:

TACLOBAN-ORMOC-BAYBAY-MAASIN(OR HILONGOS) ROUTE: From Tacloban, you can take bus at the New Tacloban Bus Terminal or take a van ride going to Ormoc City. Check the van terminal station of Van Van and Grand Tours or the terminal of Duptours in Tacloban City for this route . In Ormoc City, proceed to the bus terminal and take a bus ride or van ride to Inopacan. Take the Ormoc-Maasin City trip or Ormoc-Hilongos trip and ask the driver or the conductor to drop you in Inopacan town proper.

Van fare from Tacloban City to Ormoc City is P120.00 (one-way fare as of Feb. 2012)

Van fare from Ormoc City to Inopacan is P60.00 (one-way fare as of May 2012)

Travel time from Tacloban City to Ormoc City is about 2 hours.

Travel time from Ormoc City to Inopacan is about 45 minutes to 1 hou. Normally, the van will have a 30-minute stop-over in Baybay City bus terminal. Inopacan is the next town after Baybay, going south. Inopacan is 10 to 15 minutes from Baybay.

Last trip for commuter van is usually at 6:00 p.m. only. However, on peak seasons, such as on Fridays (end of school and office days in a week), on the day before a holiday, the last trip may extend up to 7:00 p.m..

Travel time from Ormoc to Baybay could be sometime a little more than 1 hour depending on weather and road condition. On rainy days, it would take longer as the vehicles would slow down on some portions of the road to avoid accident on slippery pavement or when potholes are aplenty.

TACLOBAN-MAHAPLAG-BAYBAY-MAASIN (OR HILONGOS) ROUTE: Commuter van fare for Tacloban-Inopacan trip via this route is P180/head as of 2010. In Tacloban City, take a van ride at Van-van or Duptours van terminal. Buy ticket for the Tacloban-Maasin trip. Ask the driver to drop you in Inopacan, Leyte.

Travel time from Tacloban to Baybay is a little more than 2 hours. Normally, the van will have a 30-minute stop-over in Baybay City bus terminal. Inopacan is the next town after Baybay, going south. Inopacan is 10 to 15 minutes from Baybay.

Travel time from Ormoc to Baybay is around 2 hours. Normally, the van will have a 30-minute stop-over in Baybay City bus terminal. Inopacan is 10 to 15 minutes from Baybay.

OTHER INTER-ISLAND ROUTES GOING TO INOPACAN:

CEBU-TACLOBAN-INOPACAN ROUTE: From Cebu City, fly to Tacloban City. Take PAL or Cebu Pacific flight. Then proceed to any of the routes from Tacloban City to Inopacan, as shown above.

CEBU-HILONGOS-INOPACAN ROUTE: In Cebu City take an overnight passenger ship ride from Cebu to Hilongos (Pier 4, Quezon Boulevard or North Reclamation Area, Cebu City). The ship usually left Cebu port from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Check available schedule of Cebu Boat Trips (slow ferries). In Hilongos port, take a walk or ride pot-pot (pedicab) to the hi-way where buses and jeepneys are stationed. Take a bus or jeepney ride to Inopacan (20 to 30 minutes ride, fare: P20 to P30 per head as of 2010)

CEBU-ORMOC-BAYBAY-INOPACAN ROUTE: Take a fast craft ride at Cebu port area (Pier 4, Quezon Boulevard or North Reclamation Area, Cebu City). Check available trips of Cebu Boat Trips (fast craft). In Ormoc City, proceed to the bus terminal and take a bus ride or van ride to Inopacan (travel time: 45 minutess to 1 hour; fare: P60/head as of 2010) Take the Ormoc-Maasin City or Ormoc-Hilongos route and ask the driver or the conductor to drop you in Inopacan town proper).

MINDANAO-LEYTE ROUTE: From Mindanao (Surigao, Davao, Gen San, Cagayan de oro, Cotabato) take a bus ride through the Maharlika Highway. These buses usually have the route going to Cubao (Quezon City) or Pasay City in Metro Manila. Just ask and remind the driver or the conductor to drop you in Inopacan, Leyte. The bus will be ferried in crossing the sea from Lipata Ferry Terminal in Surigao City to Liloan in Southern Leyte onboard a ferry boat or RoRo (Roll On - Roll Off) boats. More often, the passenger fare on ferry boat is not included in your bus ticket. You have to pay separately for the ferry ride.

Notice: The Maharlika II ferry boat sank in 2014, more than 3 years after we posted this photo here in this blog. Edgie Polistico is shown standing on the foreground. See and read the Philippine Star news item HERE that also copied and printed the same photo we posted here (with Edgie trimmed out).

Lipata Ferry Terminal in Surigao del Norte. Ro-Ro (Rollon - Rolloff) ferry boats, such as Maharlika II in the picture, transport vehicles and people from Mindanao to Leyte and vice-versa.

BEWARE of fake Manifest of Ferry Boat Passengers - Be aware of those sitting by the table or standing at the entrance gate of the ferry terminal asking you to buy a ticket and would misrepresent by asking you to write your name in manifest-like sheet of paper. Don't be fooled by these people. Take note that real Manifest of Boarding Passengers must have the heading/name of the local coast guard office, not the name of an Insurance Company. The real manifest is often placed inside the Ferry Boat or at the Pre-departure Area and is guarded by a coast guard officer of uniformed crew from the Ferry Boat. You are not obliged to buy insurance ticket, unless you like to buy one. You can refuse if you don't want that ticket.

Other ports for passenger ships coming to Leyte island are in Baybay City, Hilongos, Ormoc City, Isabela, Liloan, and Tacloban City.

For other boat schedules, check it with barkota

BOAT TRIP FROM MINDANAO TO INOPACAN: There is no direct boat trip originating anywhere in Mindanao going to Inopacan. The closest port from Mindanao is the Lipata Ferry terminal in Surigao City where buses from Davao, Gen-San, Misamis and Cotabato are ferried to Liloan Ferry Terminal in Southern Leyte on their way to Manila plying along the Maharlika Highway (a.k.a. the Pan Philippine Highway). Take the bus trip that would pass along Inopacan in the western part of Leyte.

OTHER MODE OF TRANSPORTATION IN TOWN: Other mode of transportation in Inopacan include:

Jeepneys - (jitney or the extended version of jeep with long passenger seat on both sides at the back) take this ride when going to nearby towns
pedicab - (tricycle, or a motorcycle installed with a side car, thus having three wheels) often hired when going to barangays within plain areas
habal-habal - (a single motorcycle contraption that could accommodate up to 6 (or even 8) persons sitting tightly in a row) ideally used when going to upland areas or far flung barangays in the hinterlands
pot-pot - (bicycle installed with sidecar, thus also has three wheels) for short distance ride.

RENT-A-CAR: You can rent a car in Tacloban if you want an exclusive trip or tour.

JEEPNEY FARE:

Baybay-Inopacan (vice versa) - P20 (as of May 2011)

COMMUTER VAN FARE:

Tacloban - Inopacan (vice versa) - P160 (as of May 2011)
Baybay - Inopacan (vice versa) - P50 (as of May 2011)

(If you travel back to Tacloban from Inopacan, the van would detour to the DZR Airport as it is their priority to send off passengers bound to the airport before proceeding to the New Tacloban Transportation Terminal. Passengers bound to the airport has to pay P50 additional fare)

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By virtue of Republic Act 8224, the entire Circumferential Road 5, more commonly known as the C-5 Road or C-5 is now called the President Carlos P. Garcia Avenue, honoring the eighth president of the Republic of the Philippines, Carlos Polistico Garcia (CPG). The photo above is taken right after passing the C5 entrance toolgate from SLEX. The bust of CPG is installed atop the concrete pole.