Iloilo airport seen as catalyst for development

Iloilo City (13 March) — The Iloilo Airport is really intended to serve as catalyst for development, according to Mr. Ed Mangalili, Project Manager of the Iloilo Airport Project who briefed members of the Regional Development Council during their tour of the facilities of the new Airport. Mangalili said the airport would not only spur development around the area but even in the whole of Panay.

The construction of the Iloilo Airport, which is of international standards, came about because the old airport is no longer capable of future air demand, Mangalili said. When completed the Iloilo Airport is a bigger facility than the Silay Airport, Mangalili told the RDC members.

Engineer Eduardo Mangalili (in pink shirt), Project Manager of the new Iloilo Airport Project, briefs members of the Regional Development Council on the facilities of the new Iloilo Airport. (PIA-6)

Among others, it boasts of a 2.5 kilometer by 45 meter wide runway which can accommodate Airbus 330 and 340 and Boeing 747 planes, three Passenger Bridges, two baggage claim conveyors, a 500 seating capacity passenger lounge, a three-kilometer access road and nine separate buildings all within the 188 hectare airport complex.

The cost of construction is pegged at P8.758 billion.

So far, Mangalili said, three airline companies have signified their intention to avail of space within the new Airport and are expected to move in within the week to arrange their offices. Spaces within the airport are also open to concessionaires.

The completed airport facilities will be formally turned over to the Air Transportation office on March 19 and it will now be the ATO who will manage the facilities according to Mr. Alan Java, ATO Area Manager. The tentative schedule for the Airport inauguration is on April 12, 2007.

Meanwhile to enhance the competitive advantages of the country’s five super regions, the government is set to complete this year, aside from the Iloilo Airport, seven other airport projects that would further promote tourism and logistics by providing a more efficient mode of transport for goods and passengers. The eight airport projects are part of the 31 priority airport projects costing P94.37 billion targeted to be completed by 1022 under the Medium Term Public Investment Program (MTPIP). (PIA 6)

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