DOT bats for full development of Caticlan airport
The Department of Tourism (DOT) here is proposing a one time closure of the Caticlan Airport in Malay, Aklan to give way to its full swing upgrade and development of its facilities.
DOT regional director Edwin Trompeta said there was a recommendation to close the airport for three months to allow the extension works on the runway.
“It might be a good idea to start the new development and have a one-time closure of the airport,” Trompeta said, adding that it might send a wrong signal “when at one time you close the airport and then open it again.”
“If they can do that in one time, get all those development projects in place in the earliest time possible then that would be good for everyone,” he said.
He said the upgrading of the Caticlan airport will be done under the build-operate-transfer (BOT)scheme.
The winning bidder has earmarked P2.5 billion for the development project, he said.
Although the wining bidder was given seven years to complete the project, he was optimistic that it will be finished in two years with sufficient funding support.
The improvement includes reclamation of the portion of the sea for the lengthening of the runway, removal of the hill at the eastern end of the runway and establishment of terminal and parking spaces. (PNA)