Over P1B for Iloilo City, Roxas City airports

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Regional Development Council-VI (RDC-6) requested the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to set aside P1.64 billion for six airports in Western Visayas, two of which are in Negros Occidental.

In its resolution, crafted following a meeting last week, the RDC-6 said the projects are necessary for the efficient operation of the airports, enhancement of existing security measures, and compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization standards.

Of the total, P238,495,000 is being sought for the Bacolod-Silay Airport passenger terminal expansion and runway extension, while P50,000 is being requested for the concreting at the Kabankalan City Domestic Airport.

Meanwhile, Iloilo International Airport and Roxas Airport are requesting a combined P1.196 billion, with P864 million requested for the former and P332 million for the latter.

Among other airports in Panay, Kalibo International Airport assessed P194.3 million for upgrades; while P14 million was requested for Evelio Javier Airport, or Antique Airport.

Earlier, the RDC-6 held its 2nd Quarter Meeting and approved a proposed P3.5 billion budget.

During the meeting, which was attended by top officials from Region VI, the council approved the resolution, forwarded by the Infrastructure Development Committee, to fund 57 proposed infrastructure projects./DGB, WDJ