 |
New
Iloilo Airport |
The
economy in the region is still bouncing after the elections
and would still be picking up with the operations of the
new Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan and Sta. Barbara.
NEDA
Economic specialist Atty. Raul Anlocotan said election spending
by candidates had not affected the flow of the regional
economy despite allegations of massive vote buying and other
frauds.
Instead,
Atty. Anlocotan said, the region, especially the Panay island
provinces are perking up with the much expected and much
welcomed opening of the new Iloilo Domestic Airport.
Atty.
Anlocotan added these developments augurs well for the goal
of the super regions thrust of the government in making
the Visayas, that includes the region, a haven for services
and tourism.
Further,
the tourism and service sectors will be enhanced by the
new domestic airport as transfer of goods and of people
will be much easier, contributed by efficiency in transport
system and relatively peaceful and orderly communities.
Anlocotan
also said the strength of the peso as of this time is a
positive factor that raises investors’ confidence
in the country. This situation will flow over to the region,
even if the effects of the strong peso is seen in the long
term yet.
“We
will see the effects in the long term because Western Visayas
has no strong export sector, except for smaller portions
of its agricultural products. We are focused more on developing
our agri-tourism potentials,” Anlocotan said.
On
the other hand, Atty. Anlocotan said the new Iloilo Airport
of international standards is named the Iloilo Domestic
Airport. He said some buildings in the airport may be named
after a person as deemed appropriate but for purposes of
maintaining a specific site or location that will not mislead,
especially tourists, the Iloilo Domestic Airport stands
by this name. (ES Subong-PIA 6)
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