In support of tourism development, the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) is embarking on a prioritized program to upgrade and construct the country’s airport to serve as gateways to major tourism destinations, including the Caticlan airport.
DOTC secretary Leandro Mendoza said, "the rehabilitation of old and construction of new ones aim to spur domestic travel and encourage investment in the local region.
"The enhanced efforts of the DOTC to attract more local and foreign tourists would ultimately translate to national economic growth as more tourists mean more jobs and livelihood opportunities for all," he added.
Some of the airports scheduled for construction and upgrading are the Regional International Airport in Daraga City, Albay; the Caticlan Airport in Malay, Aklan, Panglao and Tagbilaran airports in Bohol; the new Iloilo Airport and Silay Airport in Negros Occidental.
The improvement of the existing Caticlan airport, a main jump off point to the famed Boracay Island, would further enhance the tourism industry and services in the island, he stressed.
According to Mendoza, the completion of development work on the runway and terminal facilities at the Loakan and Bagabag Airports and the introduction of regular flights to the region would give tourists and potential investors bound for the Cordillera region to visit Baguio City, the Banaue Rice Terraces and the heritage sites in Banaue, Hungduan, Kiangan and Mayoyao.
To cope with the increasing tourists traffic in Palawan, the DOTC will upgrade the Palawan Airport to meet the international standards.
The DOTC has also programmed the improvement of the existing Busuanga Airport and the construction of the El Nido Airport to serve as links to the Northern Palawan destinations.
Mendoza will also construct a new airport in Lallo, Cagayan, to connect to Cordillera with the upgrading of the Tabuk-Tuguegarao road by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Other airports for construction and rehabilitation are the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban City, the new Zamboanga International Airport; the Dipolog Airport; the Pagadian Airport and the Balai Airport in Iligan. /mp mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo,com
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