WITH the recent appropriation of an additional P5.5 billion budget for the new Bacolod and Iloilo international airports, Cebu officials fear that the operations of the Mactan Cebu International Airport will be affected.
"Probably not," said Transportation and Communications Assistant Secretary Ricardo `Cano' Tan who added that the Mactan airport has already established its own market.
Tan said the new international airports in Bacolod and Iloilo will not hurt Mactan's operations especially on its tourism promotion program.
He said having international airports in Bacolod and Iloilo is a good indication especially for the business atmosphere in Western Visayas.
"This means that both Bacolod and Iloilo will be more accessible to the world soon," Tan added.
In Cebu City, Tourism Secretary Joseph "Ace" Durano also gave the same assurance.
Durano said Cebu should not worry about the Bacolod and Iloilo airports because the country needs to offer huge market for tourism destinations, and must then develop more air transportation services.
"We are promoting the entire Philippines, especially Cebu, as one of the best tourist destinations in Asia. By adding more airports in the Visayas area, they will better appreciate what Cebu has to offer," he said.
In Western Visayas, Tourism Regional Director Edwin Trompeta is optimistic that Boracay island will lead in the tourism promotion.
Negros Occidental, on the other hand, will focus on sports adventure, agri-tourism as well as health and wellness promotion through the Mambukal Resort as "gateway" in discovering Negros.
Earlier, President Arroyo announced that the Senate finance committee has approved the additional funding for the Bacolod and Iloilo airport amounting to P5.5 billion.
The new budget will be used to upgrade facilities of the soon-to-be finished Iloilo airport in Cabatuan town and also to extend the runway of new Bacolod airport in Bagtic, Silay City from 2 to 2.5 kilometers.
Of the P5.5 additional budget, P2.712 billion was allotted for the new Iloilo airport while P2.788 billion is set aside for the Silay airport.
Both the new airports in Bacolod and Iloilo will include passenger terminals, baggage conveyor, check-in area, airline offices, and pre-departure and arrival areas.
The airport is designed to accommodate six aircrafts parking at the same time.
Meanwhile, the National Government disclosed that about 16 new airports are being constructed and set to be in full operation by 2010.
On the other hand, Durano said his month's bombing at the Negros Occidental Airport will not deter its opening middle of next year. Another location in Visayas that will also soon have an international airport is the Panglao island in Bohol.(EASD with Sunnex)
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