The Department of Transportation (DOTr) inaugurated today, June 4, 2021, the expanded and improved International Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) of the Kalibo International Airport after it was completed in September 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The inauguration was led by DOTR Secretary Arthur Tugade together with Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Capt. Jim Sydiongco.
According to DOTr, the upgraded airport is expected to rev up the economy of Aklan and its nearby provinces as well as provide tourists with convenient access to the country’s most prized tourism gem – Boracay Island.
In a press release a day before the inauguration, Secretary Tugade revealed that the airport’s International Passenger Terminal Building now has the capacity to handle 406 passengers from the previous 344 passengers volume, while the Domestic Passenger Terminal Building has a total of 400-passenger capacity.
The bigger PTB is also seen to eliminate long lines of tourists expected to visit Boracay Island due to the easing of quarantine and movement restrictions.
The upgrading of the airport was also an opportunity for Aklanons to be employed despite the pandemic.
During the expansion, at least 236 local construction workers were employed by the DOTr.
Before the upgrading, KIA’s International PTB has an area only of 1,584 square meters, but after the upgrade, the PTB has now an area of 2,633.40 square meters.
The DOTr said the Kalibo International Airport is an integral part of the regional transport infastracture development under the “Build, Build, Build” Program of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte with the aim of boosting accessibility, mobility, and connectivity.
Aside from the inauguration of the upgraded airport, other events held today by the DOTr include the ceremonial turnover of student licenses to members of the Boracay Ati Tribe Organization, and a press conference with the local media.
The inauguration was also joined by Aklan officials led by Governor Florencio T. Miraflores, Rep. Teodorico Haresco of Aklan’s 2nd legislative district, and Mayor Emerson Lachica of the municipality of Kalibo.JSC/VGV/PIA6 Aklan
