Sunday, November 20, 2011

KIA – First and Last Impression of Aklan


In my in and out of the Kalibo International Airport, you wouldn’t help but notice the smell and positively comment as part of our unsolicited and constructive observations on how our airport has been designed considering it is now an international airport.


Let us not go too far. Look at the newly constructed Bacolod Domestic Airport. The name itself "domestic", you would expect a small strip and poorly designed structure, but, alas! You will be impressed by it. We will not elaborate too much on Iloilo Domestic Airport. With 5 Congressmen representing 5 Districts, they obviously have the capacity to build one like it. They have the means, the capacity and the guts to go for it, even they don’t have an international flight. Unfair? Yes, it is! However, we have to accept the fact, that the initiators of the project in that city are using its resources and funds well. They tried their best to push to have international flights, but to no avail, who knows, just maybe for now.


Going back to our own KIA. I hope that the people in charge of this structure would do their best to logically arrange the inside of the departure area. What happened to our best Architects and Designers in town? Guests and tourists would like to see what can they bring for pasalubong, therefore, it would be best that the souvenir stores of our best Aklan products should be in the frontline as you check in. They reasoned that for security purposes, those who depart for domestic flights can’t even see the display on the 2nd floor if there is an international flight. So what is the logic of security and x-ray process as you checked in? Why still afraid of security when you are already inside the departure area? Precisely, the point of passing the x-ray machine, one should be already secured inside, isn’t it?


The massage parlor should also be improved and will make sure that guests will have its privacy, too. The curtain is not enough to keep the guest’s from the scrutiny of immorality when it is alright to see them half-naked? Not to offend the owner, but is sure, he or she should know what’s best for their clients.


How about sanitary concerns? Food section should not be literally - 5 feet away from the comfort rooms. The smell of the cooked noodles, hotdog and who knows what else, you can smell just when you checked in and pass by the x-ray machine. Who among you did not notice this? Or am I just exaggerating? Surely am not. I myself frequent the place.


I can’t help but do some comparison when you go places. You would also want to make the best of your place, as you consider it your own. You wish it because we know that our government can afford to do more. The island of Boracay gives more than we expect to the economic development of not just our province, but in the whole Philippines. It is a disgrace to note that we have KIA of no international standard at all. These are comments we get from our closest guests in town. I am sometimes embarrassed and do not know what else to say and reason out.


Likewise, it is so disappointing to say that these people sometimes are contented with "mediocre" results. They know that the answers to resolve the concerns of KIA are just in front of their two eyes, but they unfortunately and deniably tolerate the surroundings. Is it better to leave a legacy rather than be concerned of you resume’?

Whoever is behind the strategic plan of the Kalibo International Airport, they surely should know better. We wish to see more positive development of this place, where the visitors has their first and last impression of the - beautiful Aklan. (by MEGS S. LUNN) /MP

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