| PGMA
inaugurates P7-B Iloilo Airport
 |
President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo applauds after unveiling the
marker of the new Iloilo International Airport which
she inaugurated last June 13 at Cabatuan, Iloilo. Also
in photo are (from left) Japanese Ambassador Ryuichiro
Yamazaki, Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas, and Rep. Arthur
Defensor. (Rolando Mailo-OPS/NIB Photo) |
Pres.
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the inauguration of the multi-billion
Iloilo Airport of international standard last June 13.
The president described the new airport as a “shining
example of the best that is still to come for all the Filipino
people” as the country continues to break loose from
its “lethargic economic legacy.”
The
new airport, she added, is a “symbol of our collective
will and the people’s support.”
The President lauded the Ilonggos for their steadfast commitment
to the project despite the magnitude of the challenges posed
by lack of funds.
The construction of the 188-hectare airport located in the
municipalities of Sta. Barbara and Cabatuan, Iloilo was financed
through a Special Yen Loan Package Agreement between the Government
of the Philippines and Japan Bank for International Cooperation
(JBIC) in the amount of Y14.742 million.
Iloilo Governor Niel D. Tupas, Sr. said that the Iloilo Airport
is one of the most modern airports in the Philippines, with
state of the art facilities and equipment.
Aside from Arroyo, other cabinet members, senators and congressmen
from Iloilo Province also graced the occasion.
The
Iloilo airport has a runway of 2,500 meters x 45 meters and
can accommodate A330/340 with seating capacity of 276 persons.
Its apron has an area of 48,200 square meters which can accommodate
six aircraft at one time.
It also features an access road of 3,000meters x four lanes;
a 3-storey passenger terminal building with an area 13,700
square meters; a 2-storey administrative
building; 1,700 square meter and 35 meter high tower and operation
building; crash fire rescue station; air navigation system
and fire fighting equipment.
The Iloilo airport is the brainchild of Sen. Franklin Drilon
and then governor and now Rep. Arthur D. Defensor, Sr. after
they noted that the existing Iloilo Airport in Mandurriao
has been facing problems of obsolete facilities, operational
limitations due to obstacle, limited expandability due to
existence of roads and rivers and urbanization around the
airport.
The NEDA approved the implementation of the project in March
2000 and subsequently led to the signing of agreement on August
31, 2000.
The
new Iloilo Airport is expected to be a catalyst of development
not only in the Province of Iloilo but also in the Island
of Panay.
The new Iloilo Airport was constructed by the Taisei-Shimizu
Joint ventures with a project cost of Yen portion 9,487,544,058
and Philippine counterpart of P1,625,508,763 and P129,985,322.
(Gina Angela H. Celebria & Ian C. Espada/Province of Iloilo
with reports from OPS)
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