SOCIO-ECONOMIC Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia announced the proposed P492-million rehabilitation of the Loakan airport.
Pernia, who was in the city to spearhead the Cordillera stakeholders’ Forum on Regional Autonomy and the Baguio airport, said there are projects that need to be implemented to make the airport qualify as a national airport considering that the same could no longer comply with the stringent requirements of an international airport.
“We believe the proposed rehabilitation of the Loakan airport is doable because its operation is considered to be critical in improving the growth of the local tourism industry due to the airport’s strategic location in the country’s undisputed Summer capital,” he said.
Pernia, who is the director general of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), said the national government has earmarked some P246 million to jumpstart the initial works for its upgrading while the balance of the funds will be included in the government’s 2020 budget.
Pernia underscored the resettlement of the informal settlers around the airport and the building of the proposed access road in one side of the airport to cater to the needs of residents living on the opposite side of the airport are all doable things which must be done with utmost political will of concerned government agencies and the local government.
Pernia added there is also a need for the Department of Transportation and Railways, Department of Public works, NEA, CAAP and other concerned government agencies as well as the local government to convene and discuss the appropriate strategies on how to approach local problems hindering the rehabilitation. (PR)