SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – Sen. Loren Legarda said that the improvement of Antique airport and the Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) direct flights to Antique will spur local economy as it will boost trade and tourism, as the maiden flight of the Antique-Clark route was launched at the Evelio B. Javier (EBJ) Airport on Sunday.
“As we welcome the inaugural flight of Philippine Airlines in our newly renovated airport, I can proudly say that: Antique’s progress is unstoppable,” said Legarda in a speech read by Governor Rhodora Cadiao during the inaugural flight of PAL to Antique airport.
“We are ready to welcome more tourists in our province and we are excited to share our products to more Filipinos and tourists outside the province. Our expanded and upgraded airport will be our gateway and PAL will be our partner in this endeavor,” she added.
It was through Legarda’s efforts that PAL is now servicing direct flights to Antique.
Starting Dec. 16, PAL Express flies to Antique twice a week, on Sundays and Tuesdays. It will depart from Clark International Airport at 6 a.m. and arrive at Antique Airport here at 7:20 a.m. Return flight leaves Antique Airport at 7:40 a.m. and arrives in Clark International Airport at 9 a.m.
“Antique has so much potential for growth. This is just the beginning of many more successes for our beloved province,” Legarda concluded.
Jose Fajunio, Civil Aviation Authority for the Philippines (CAAP) acting manager of the EBJ, said the historic flight of PAL between Clark and Antique will initially start with two flights a week but will eventually depend on the increase in number of passengers.
“PAL might consider increasing the twice a week flight from Clark to Antique and vice versa if there would be enough passengers,” Fajunio said.
The Evelio B. Javier Airport stopped commercial operations for several years and was used only by private planes before the government decided to reopen it this year.
Fajunio reveals that the runway at the airport was extended from 1.2 kilometers to 1.3 kilometers.
Meanwhile, the Antique Harvest Fair formally opened Friday at Robinson’s Mall here to showcase the different goods of farmers, indigenous people and other producers in the countryside – coinciding with the maiden flight.
Dubbed as Antique Harvest, it is the first in Western Visayas and aims to promote culinary heritage and tourist destinations in the 18 towns of Antique.
“The DOT’s Philippine Harvest promotes the culinary heritage of different regions in the country. I wanted them to do the same for Antique so we can showcase the local food and tourist destinations of all the municipalities. It is a way to boost the promotion of Antique destinations, cultures, and values through food and other Philippine Tourism products,” said Sen. Loren Legarda.
“I want to boost tourism and trade in Antique through the Antique Harvest, which will coincide with the inaugural flight of Philippine Airlines to San Jose on Dec. 16. These are efforts to promote our local products and tourist sites. Once there is greater demand for these products and sites, there will be more livelihood opportunities for Antiqueños,” said Legarda.
The Antique Harvest boasts twenty-two exhibitors featuring farm tourism sites, destinations, local food and travel agencies that promote sustainable travel.
“This is only the beginning of many more initiatives for our province. We have many other collaborations with national government agencies and even the private sector to bring their programs to Antique,” Legarda concluded./PN
