ANTIQUE – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday said the newly inaugurated Antique Airport Development Projects will provide major relief to passengers—both locals and tourists—while significantly boosting the province’s economy and tourism industry.
Marcos led the inauguration of key airport development projects worth P1.576 billion at the Antique Airport in San Jose de Buenavista on January 19, alongside Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez, Senator Loren Legarda, Governor Paolo Javier, Antique Lone District Representative Antonio Legarda Jr., and other local officials.
In his speech, the President said Antique is fortunate to have scenic landscapes and rich cuisine, making it a priority of his administration to improve transportation infrastructure in the province to attract more visitors and create more economic opportunities.
Marcos acknowledged the daily struggles faced by travelers due to slow and inconvenient transportation systems, noting that travel often drains time, money, and patience before passengers even reach their destinations.
He said the Antique Airport Development Project is part of the government’s efforts to make travel faster, more convenient, and accessible, not only in Antique but also in other parts of Western Visayas.
The President added that the opening of the new Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) has improved airport services, with smoother check-in procedures, more comfortable waiting areas, and more complete facilities for travelers.
Other completed facilities include a new air traffic control tower, apron, taxiway, and administrative building, which will allow the airport to serve more passengers and aircraft. Supporting facilities such as a fire station and power house were also built to ensure uninterrupted operations, especially during emergencies.
“These developments will be a big relief for our travelers—tourists, workers, entrepreneurs, and families,” Marcos said.
The P1.576-billion airport development includes the expansion of the Passenger Terminal Building from 181 square meters to 2,224 square meters, increasing seating capacity from 64 to 360 passengers. The number of check-in counters also increased from two to six.
A newly developed ramp can now accommodate up to four jet aircraft simultaneously, while the control tower was expanded from three to seven storeys to improve visibility and ensure safer and more efficient flight operations. Modern systems for baggage handling, flight information, and passenger convenience have also been installed.
The runway extension project, which lengthened the runway from 1,430 meters to 1,800 meters, now allows Antique Airport to accommodate jet aircraft, marking a significant boost in the province’s aviation capability.
Currently classified as a Principal Class 2 Airport, Antique Airport operates three flights a week and serves as a gateway to the province, known as the “Land Where the Mountains Meet the Sea.”/PN
