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MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is set to inaugurate the improved Kalibo International Airport (KIA) on Thursday to help boost tourism in the province of Aklan and the entire Visayas region.
The airport’s upgrade is expected to boost visits from local and international tourists to Aklan’s most famous attractions including Boracay Island, said Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade.
According to the DOTr on Wednesday, Tugade, together with Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Director Jim Sydiongco, will inaugurate the expanded International Passenger Terminal Building of the KIA.
“Noon, dahil napakaliit at napakasikip ng Kalibo International Airport, halos siksikan at kabi-kabila ang hirap na nararanasan ng mga pasahero. Kaunti lamang ang kayang i-accomodate na pasahero ng passenger terminal building, lalo na tuwing sasapit ang peak hours,” Tugade said in a Facebook post.
(Before, due to the small and cramped space of the Kalibo International Airport, passengers experienced the difficulty of cramping together. The terminal building can only accommodate a few passengers especially on peak hours.)
The upgraded terminal now has an expanded area of 2,633 square meters from its previous 1,584 square meters, the DOTr noted.
The DOTr added that the expanded airport now has bigger areas for pre-departure, Customs, immigration, pre-screening, and check-in counters.
According to the transportation secretary, the airport was also used to boost the province’s employment rate amid the pandemic as more than 200 laborers were given jobs during the expansion.
“Habang nasa construction phase ang proyekto, umabot sa 236 na katao ang nabigyan ng trabaho, habang 316 naman ang kasalukuyan ay nagta-trabaho na sa paliparan,” Tugade added.
(During the construction phase of the project, around 236 people were given jobs while 316 people are currently working at the airport.)
Aklan is under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) protocols until June 30 which allows domestic passengers to travel in and out of the province. Faith Yuen Wei Ragasa, Inquirer trainee
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