PGMA links Panay Island to more tourists
Roxas City -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has kept her State of the Nation Address (SONA) pledge to establish vital infrastructure facilities in the island of Panay as among the Central Philippine areas eyed for tourism development.
The significant projects of the Arroyo administration to perk up the island's tourism industry include a recently inaugurated multi-billion-peso New Iloilo Airport, upcoming construction of the New Kalibo Airport Terminal in Aklan, and various ongoing road constructions, among others.
Last May, the region's first international flight from South Korea landed in Kalibo to boost its status as a world tourist destination owing to its famous Boracay Island.
The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) has also requested the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to conduct safety assessment on NIA for possibility of international flights.
"Central Philippines has the competitive edge in tourism in its natural wonders and the extraordinary hospitality of its people. The area sweeps across Palawan and Romblon, the Visayas and Bicol, plus the northern Mindanao islands of Camiguin, Siargao and Dapitan," the President said.
The areas attract more than half of the foreign tourists to the Philippines.
About P372 -- billion will be spent by the government starting 2007 until 2010 to propel its super region strategy through various catalyst projects for the identified investment and development areas to spur economic growth in the countryside and eventually lead the Philippines to achieving First World status in the next two decades.
The projects will include the construction of railways, roads, airports, seaports and irrigation projects.
(PIA/A.Lumaque)