Busuanga airport development project breaks ground

Department of Tourism Regional Director Danilo Intong, Coron Mayor Ajerico S. Barracoso, CAAP Director General Capt. Jim Sydiongco, Palawan Governor Jose Chaves Alvarez, Palawan 1st District Rep. Franz Alvarez, Busuanga Mayor Elizabeth M. Cervantes, Linapacan Vice Mayor Emil T. Neri, and DPWH Engr. Avelino Aquiatan take part in the Busuanga airport development project’s groundbreaking ceremony. Photo courtesy of Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines – Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Capt. Jim Sydiongco, together with local officials of Palawan, on Tuesday led he groundbreaking ceremony for the P953.4 million Francisco B. Reyes – Busuanga Airport development project.

The project is aimed at improve the airport’s facilities and allow it to handle larger aircraft.

“The airport development project involves the construction of a runway embankment and re-orientation of the airport’s runway,” CAAP said in a statement.

“A runway re-orientation was deemed necessary as both the approaches of the airport’s existing runway are facing the mountains,” it added.

The airport is the main gateway to the Calamian Group of Islands that compromises the islands of Busuanga, Coron and Culion, which are sought after tourist destinations.

Target completion of the airport development project is 2021.

Currently, the airport handles 16 domestic flights operated by Cebgo, PAL Express, Skyjet and Air Juan. / gsg