Capitol to upgrade two Cebu airports

Capitol will be rehabilitating the airports of Bantayan and Camotes islands.

Provincial Engineer Eulogio Pelayre told Cebu Daily News last week that Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia is pushing for the developments of these two airport facilities because of the continuous influx of tourists in the islands.

“Governor Garcia wants to make some improvements. With the influx of foreign tourists, it’s high time to upgrade the airport,” Pelayre said in an interview.

He cited the increasing number of resorts as the best indicator of this reported influx of tourists in both islands.

Improvements like the paving of the 1.5 kilometer air strip and the introduction of hangars and passenger terminals will be included.

“This is one of the projects of the governor. Last year this was already placed as a priority for engineering,” he said.

Pelayre also cited the importance of the rehabilitation of these two airports.

“Dako na siya nga contribution pag-develop sa usa ka lugar. When you talk about airports, fast ang movement, not only sa goods but also sa mga tao and also the circulation of economic activities in the area (This will have a big contribution as far as development in an area is concerned. When you talk about airports, the movement is fast, not only in goods but also the people and the circulation of economic activities in the area,” he said.

Pelayre said  they will hopefully make the airport similar to that of Boracay Island.

The plans are expected to be presented today at the Capitol.

Both the Bantayan and Camotes airports are owned by the Cebu Provincial Government.

Meanwhile, Governor Garcia will also meet with officials of the Cebu Port Authority and Department of Public Works and Highways 7 to finalize plans for the proposed roll-on roll-off port in Maya, Daanbantayan.

In the annual investment plan for 2011, the development for both airports and even the ports in the province received a budget of P50 million. /Carmel Loise Matus, Correspondent