Travel Booboos

Hello! I initially wanted to ask only for "legal" advice, but eventually I thought that some of you may have other tips on how to proceed.

My group of 12 paid for a package deal for a trip to Pagudpud (Ilocos Norte) and Vigan (Ilocos Sur). Our expectations were not met. Some examples are listed below. For reference, Ariel is the person from the agency who went with us to the trip. He also occupies a position of influence with the agency.

1. Two days before we left, Ariel told us that we won't be using a minibus anymore (as previously agreed upon) due to expensive gas prices. We thus had to use two vans which were not able to accommodate everybody comfortably. Imagine being on a seat whose support goes only up to your lower back, for 10 hours of travel. Note that a minibus was what was indicated in the proposal.

2. We were supposed to leave at 7 pm from Gateway, Cubao last June 11 (as indicated in the schedule). Some of us were late because of the inclement weather, but by 7:40 all of us travellers were already at the meeting place. One of the two vans however arrived only at past 10 pm because it left from Laguna only at 7 pm. It wasn't able to leave earlier as well due to color coding. Note that the agency was fully cognizant of our schedule.

3. The afternoon of the day we arrived in Pagudpud, Ariel was nowhere to be found. He left the two drivers who were too tired to drive anymore (understandably). This turned out to be a problem since we had planned trips that afternoon (something the agency knew) which were indicated in the proposal. Eventually, we were able to force the drivers, but after much haranguing with Ariel who at times would not respond to our phone calls. There were instances where he just hanged up when the discussion got heated.

4. It was indicated in the proposal that we didn't have to pay entrance fees anymore to the different tourist spots in the itinerary; these were already covered by the package fees. However, we had to personally shell out the entrance fee to Malacanang in the North.

5. There was supposed to be a calesa ride in Vigan, and there were other tourist spots in the itinerary, which we were not able to experience.

6. We were scheduled to leave Vigan for Manila Sunday after lunch. Saturday evening, Ariel told us that we had to leave Sunday morning at 9 am because they had to be back in Manila by 5 pm. This was because they still had another trip to go to. We bargained to leave at 10 am, fully cognizant of the fact that they were late for 3 hours (something we haven't forgiven Ariel yet). Some of us were late by a few minutes. Ariel let out a few tirades, how a lot of us were so slow and that we should just take the bus on our way back since the vans had to leave early.


Does anybody have any suggestions on what can be done? Is there a civil liability here? We managed to enjoy, but admittedly we really could have enjoyed more. Tears of frustration from our side were shed, all because of the unprofessionalism of Ariel. This was a trip that our group prepared for months in advance. Some of us sacrificed a lot just so we could be in the Philippines and go on this trip. Some of us even threatened to resign when their vacation leaves on the days of travel were suddenly in danger of being recalled. The point is, this trip was not something we took lightly. Thus, we took great offense with how easily Ariel and his party were able to renege on what was promised to us. My companions might want to give it a rest (since we enjoyed anyway), and I deeply respect that. However, this is something I want to pursue.

Thank you! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to send me a message, or call me (if you know my number).