Caticlan project is another springboard of Aklan’s tourism industryBY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL
CATICLAN, Malay, Aklan – President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo led the capsule-laying ceremonies of the P2.507-billion Caticlan airport development project on Friday afternoon here.
Arroyo said she is optimistic of the Caticlan airport construction and development, one of the priority projects mentioned in her State of the Nation Address (SONA), spearheaded by a private sector.
“This is a dream about to come true. With the completion of this airport, a lot of tourists are waiting for the planes to start landing in Caticlan again,” she said.
The President also cited the study of International Finance Corporation (IFC) recommending the upgrading of Caticlan airport for tourists.
George Yang of the Caticlan International Airport Development Corporation (CIADC) said the group will focus the need to develop Caticlan airport in support of the growing tourism industry in Boracay Island and adjacent areas.
The 25-year build-operate-transfer project involves reducing the slope of the adjacent hill, the widening and extension of runway from 950 meters to 1,950 meters, construction of 9,200 square meters new two-storey passenger terminal building, installation of navigation and air traffic control facilities.
“As a businessman, we recognized air transportation plays a significant role in the economic and social development of the country. The administration of President Arroyo, through the Department of Transportation and Communication (DoTC) and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is continuously pursuing the development of airports across the country to enhance efficiency and safety of air transport service in accordance with international standards and recommended practices,” Yang said.
The entry of CIADC is in response to the government policy of the indispensable role of the private sector as the main engine for national development.
Upon completion of the newly developed Caticlan airport in the next 7 years, Yang said, tourism, business and livelihood activities are expected to increase in Boracay Island and in Aklan and open the doors to a new destination in the province for tourists.
SPRINGBOARD FOR TOURISM INDUSTRY
Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez said tourism stakeholders and local officials in Aklan have welcomed with open arms the Caticlan project and facilitated the grant of an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as early as 2004.
“Only last December 7, Aklanons had welcomed President Arroyo for the groundbreaking of the biomass plant in Banga, Aklan and the inauguration of the new roll-on roll-off route of the Super Shuttle Ferry Corporation, two big blessings we now look forward to a reliable supply of cheap electricity and a new roro service that will provide our people an affordable means of transportation and will perk up trade and commerce,” he stressed.
Marquez said the Caticlan airport project and its extension of runway and expansion of facilities to accommodate bigger and more planes are another ‘big’ blessings to the province.
“This development (Caticlan airport) means more tourists and revenues, more funds for poverty-alleviation projects, scholarships for the poor and deserving youth and more opportunities for indigents to break away from the perpetual cycle of poverty, hence, the Caticlan airport development project is another springboard for the tourism industry of the province and the country,” he added.
THANK YOU MADAM PRESIDENT
Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores, meanwhile, hailed the launching of the Caticlan project of the Caticlan International Airport Development Corporation (CIADC), a private consortium of businessman George Yang.
“It took us four years to put this project together and this would not be possible without the support and guidance of President Arroyo. The project is vital for the tourism industry of Boracay to have this infrastructure be started as soon as possible,” he said.
Miraflores also thanked President Arroyo for the multi-million infrastructure projects in Aklan, among others, the new Kalibo airport terminal building expected for completion by March this year and the ongoing construction of the Boracay circumferential road.
President Arroyo was joined by Transportation and Communication Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Social and Welfare Development Secretary Celia Capadocia-Yangco, former Vatican Ambassador Frank Alba, CAAP director general Ruben Ciron, PNP regional director Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas and Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas Raul Banias.
The groundbreaking rites was also witnessed by Malay mayor Ceciron Cawaling, Nabas mayor Romeo Dalisay, Provincial Tourism Council co-chairman Vicky Ramos-Antonino, Ibajay mayor Maria Lourdes Miraflores, Buruanga mayor Quezon Labindao, Aklan police provincial director Senior Supt. Epifanio Bragais, Jr. and the Boracay stakeholders.
George Yang of the Caticlan International Airport Development Corporation (CIADC) said the group will focus the need to develop Caticlan airport in support of the growing tourism industry in Boracay Island and adjacent areas.
The 25-year build-operate-transfer project involves reducing the slope of the adjacent hill, the widening and extension of runway from 950 meters to 1,950 meters, construction of 9,200 square meters new two-storey passenger terminal building, installation of navigation and air traffic control facilities.
“As a businessman, we recognized air transportation plays a significant role in the economic and social development of the country. The administration of President Arroyo, through the Department of Transportation and Communication (DoTC) and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is continuously pursuing the development of airports across the country to enhance efficiency and safety of air transport service in accordance with international standards and recommended practices,” Yang said.
The entry of CIADC is in response to the government policy of the indispensable role of the private sector as the main engine for national development.
Upon completion of the newly developed Caticlan airport in the next 7 years, Yang said, tourism, business and livelihood activities are expected to increase in Boracay Island and in Aklan and open the doors to a new destination in the province for tourists.
SPRINGBOARD FOR TOURISM INDUSTRY
Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez said tourism stakeholders and local officials in Aklan have welcomed with open arms the Caticlan project and facilitated the grant of an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as early as 2004.
“Only last December 7, Aklanons had welcomed President Arroyo for the groundbreaking of the biomass plant in Banga, Aklan and the inauguration of the new roll-on roll-off route of the Super Shuttle Ferry Corporation, two big blessings we now look forward to a reliable supply of cheap electricity and a new roro service that will provide our people an affordable means of transportation and will perk up trade and commerce,” he stressed.
Marquez said the Caticlan airport project and its extension of runway and expansion of facilities to accommodate bigger and more planes are another ‘big’ blessings to the province.
“This development (Caticlan airport) means more tourists and revenues, more funds for poverty-alleviation projects, scholarships for the poor and deserving youth and more opportunities for indigents to break away from the perpetual cycle of poverty, hence, the Caticlan airport development project is another springboard for the tourism industry of the province and the country,” he added.
THANK YOU MADAM PRESIDENT
Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores, meanwhile, hailed the launching of the Caticlan project of the Caticlan International Airport Development Corporation (CIADC), a private consortium of businessman George Yang.
“It took us four years to put this project together and this would not be possible without the support and guidance of President Arroyo. The project is vital for the tourism industry of Boracay to have this infrastructure be started as soon as possible,” he said.
Miraflores also thanked President Arroyo for the multi-million infrastructure projects in Aklan, among others, the new Kalibo airport terminal building expected for completion by March this year and the ongoing construction of the Boracay circumferential road.
President Arroyo was joined by Transportation and Communication Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Social and Welfare Development Secretary Celia Capadocia-Yangco, former Vatican Ambassador Frank Alba, CAAP director general Ruben Ciron, PNP regional director Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas and Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas Raul Banias.
The groundbreaking rites was also witnessed by Malay mayor Ceciron Cawaling, Nabas mayor Romeo Dalisay, Provincial Tourism Council co-chairman Vicky Ramos-Antonino, Ibajay mayor Maria Lourdes Miraflores, Buruanga mayor Quezon Labindao, Aklan police provincial director Senior Supt. Epifanio Bragais, Jr. and the Boracay stakeholders.
wow!! perfect pag ganun.. What if lagyan din ng ganyan o mas malaki pa dyan yung KIA para mas maganda.. kasi mas busy pa yung Airport natin kesa airport ng ILO-ILOO..
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