DoTC assures Kalibo airport full development

 BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

This time, the national government through the Department of Transportation and Communication (DoTC) has assured full development of Kalibo International Airport, a top local official said. 

In a radio interview by Barangay 92.9 Super Radyo Kalibo, Governor Florencio Miraflores said DoTC secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya vowed to speed up the development Kalibo International Airport into one of the country’s premier gateway.

The governor is batting for the airport’s full-scale upgrade of its facilities with the help of DoTC.

Miraflores stressed the long-term and much-needed development of KIA will address the increasing influx of visitors and the air traffic and cargo demand.

He also cited the potential of Kalibo airport to accommodate more direct and chartered regional flights and to compete with other local airports in the region.

In 2012, DoTC awarded P56.8 million contract to IBC International Builders Corporation for the Kalibo Airport Development Project in concreting the apron, expansion and taxiway, asphalt overlay of runway and construction of perimeter fence. 

“But we want full scale upgrade of KIA, not piecemeal expansion,” the governor added.

KIA caters the most number of international flights in Western Visayas, owing to Aklan’s prime tourist destination of Boracay Island.

Foreign travelers from Russia, Korea and Taiwan are also growing in numbers in Kalibo International Airport.

The number of passengers using the airport rose by 32 percent to 1,832,168 in 2012 from 1,378,535 a year earlier. 

Kalibo airport is serving flights to South Korea, mainland China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore and local flights to Manila, Cebu City and Clark. 

Aklan also has a Caticlan airport near Boracay being developed by San Miguel Corporation, infusing multi-million investments to draw more tourists in the region.