INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS RISE IN WESTERN VISAYAS

By  LM Ceralde 
By end of first quarter of  2007,  Western Visayas will boast of  3 international airports  that will serve as hubs for flights within the Asia-Pacific Region and  eventually for international flights.  Spearheaded by the Department of  Transportation and Communication  (DOTC),  the construction of these airports is part of the  national development thrust of the government to develop airports of international standards,  thereby promoting air travel safety and boosting economic development  for Western Visayas.

The existing Iloilo Airport is the fourth busiest airport in the country today in terms of passenger traffic and is facing problems of congestion,  antiquated or obsolete facilities,  operational limitations and limited  space for expansion due to the presence of natural and man-made barriers.  As the old  airport  is not capable of accommodating  future air traffic demand due to technical and environmental limitations,  government has prioritized the construction of a 188 hectare airport complex within the municipalities of Sta. Barbara and Cabatuan,  Iloilo.   Funded in part by the Japan Bank fort International Cooperation at a total project cost of PHP6.187 billion,  the new Iloilo international airport will  be completed by first quarter of 2007 with a soft opening  in April and will initially service regional flights in Asia and the Pacific.

Following closely at the heels of the Iloilo international airport is another  airport being built in Silay City ,  Negros Occidental and is also  expected to be completed by  first quarter of 2007   with a  target opening of a week after the Iloilo  international airport opens.  The airport is  just  about as big as the  new  Iloilo airport at 186.83 hectares with about 80% completion to date. 

Not  to be left behind is Kalibo Airport in Aklan Province.  The current  airport  services domestic flights  of  two local airlines and is  one of the major gateways to the island  of Boracay.    Kalibo is only 1 ½ hours  away by land  to this famous tourist destination  and it is expected that by December 2006,  Kalibo will be able to service regional flights as well.    The airport  is already being laid out for  night lighting capabilities and an instrument landing system   which can bring  tourists from  Asian countries such as Korea,  Taiwan and China closer to the island paradise.

An interview with  Assistant Secretary Nilo C. Jatico of the Air Transportation Office (ATO),  he  mentioned  that with the increase in air travel in the country by as much as 10%,  there is a need to increase the capabilities and capacities of   airports in the Philippines. He further noted that in spite of the increases in fuel prices,  people continue to travel in and around the country by air because of the speed and convenience it brings.    As the main agency tasked to manage airports in the country,  the ATO  ensures that airports  are up to standards and that air safety is a prime priority.

Asked on the impact of  the construction of the international airports in the development of tourism in Western Visayas, Jatico stressed    that tourism development would be  boosted when these airports become operational and  flights  from our Asia-pacific neighbors come in to discover the region.  Right now,  Boracay seems  to be the top draw in Western Visayas  but  there are other tourist attractions all over the region that are just waiting to be explored  and introduced to the world.   The airports would  also spur development of properties  such as hotels and restaurants as well as entertainment establishments for visitors and tourists passing through.  Jatico also sees    this development trickling down to the community in terms of generating livelihood for tourist related activities that would uplift the community from poverty,  ignorance and social injustice. ******