Department of Tourism (DOT-6) Director Helen J. Catalbas emphasized the need to improve and expand the Iloilo International Airport in the town of Cabatuan.
According to Catalbas, the expansion of the airport would increase the latter’s passenger capacity.
“Our airport is not that big. That is why it cannot handle bigger planes,” she said.
“The schedules of flights are so close to each other,” she added.
The airport, which was designed to cater to 1.2 passengers per year, began its operations in 2007. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), the gateway is now serving 2.4 million passengers per year.
Catalbas said they are expecting the figure to grow further because of their campaign that aims to position Iloilo as the country’s premier MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) destination.
Former House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, during her visit to Iloilo last May, said the CAAP was already given the go signal to proceed with the expansion of the airport.
The airport was among Arroyo’s priority projects when she was president from 2001 to 2010.
“With the signing of the CAAP Board Resolution granting the Original Proponent Status to the unsolicited proponent for the expansion of the Iloilo airport, the CAAP may now proceed, subject the proposal to a Swiss Challenge. It is one step closer to bringing comfort, safety, and convenience to one of the busiest airports in the country. Again my congratulations to CAAP,” Arroyo said.
Iloilo International Airport manager Efren Nagrama said the total project cost is estimated at P588-million. IMT
