MANILA – Rehabilitation is underway for the Kalibo International Airport, one of the two airports serving Boracay Island closed to tourists for cleanup, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said over the weekend.
In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said the P17.9-million rehabilitation project for the Kalibo International Airport began at the end of June.
Apolonio said CAAP is working on the extension of the airport to cater to more local and international tourists.
“‘Yung extension, dinagdagan natin dahil medyo may kaliitan ‘yang airport na ‘yan. Hindi naman talaga dinesign ‘yan sa international airport. Kaya lang, because of the demand ng mga turista internationally, naging international airport,” he said.
Apolonio said that according to their data, the airport served 2.5 million tourists last year, but only 1 million of this figure were from the Philippines.
“Nag-o-operate na ito [Kalibo airport] but since tamang-tama at nabawasan ‘yung flights kaya full steam ang rehabilitation ng airport na ginagawa ng ating management,” he said.
Apolonio admitted that while CAAP aims to make the airport a convenient place for tourists, all they can do for now is to make an extension.
“But may plano ang DOTr [Department of Transportation] at nasa pipeline na ito na ‘yung bagong airport doon sa kabilang dulo ng runway na mas mabibigyan ng atensyon ‘yung maise-serve na flight a day,” he said.
“Sa ngayon kasi talagang limitado ang mga pwede nating silbihan diyan dahil sa kaliitan ng facilities ng nasabing airport,” he added.
Environment secretary Roy Cimatu categorically said on Wednesday that Boracay Island will reopen to the public on Oct. 26. (GMA News)
