Mayors see huge economic impact of Bantayn Airport dev’t to the island

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU Province --- The mayors of Sta. Fe, Bantayan and Madredijos in Bantayan Island welcomed the provision of P154-million funding assistance requested by the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) and thanked President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Christopher Lawrence Go for the development of the Bantayan Airport in Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, in Cebu Province.

 

"As a probinsyano, I know that these infrastructure projects will pave the way for the development of the provinces, boost economic opportunities and investment in the countryside," Senator Go said.

According to MCIAA, the project involves the widening of the existing narrow runway width from 24 to 30 meters and construction of taxiway and apron areas of the airport. Expanding the runway allows efficient 24/7 commercial aviation activities.

This will ensure its compliance with established safety standards and will make it equipped for night-time flight operations and commercial aviation, MCIAA said.

Sta. Fe Mayor Ithamar Espinosa thanked senator Go for supporting the request of MCIAA for funding this project. “It is more heartening to learn that our beloved President Rodrigo Roa Duterte also supports this project which will ensure that the request will be granted.”

 When implemented, the development of the airport would attract more commercial airlines to serve Bantayan Island which will result in easier access to the Sta. Fe and the rest of the island.  Aside from boosting the tourism industry here, the airport will help attract more investors in tourist facilities in the Island, Espinosa said.

Bantayan Town Mayor Arthur Despi also hopes that direct flights will be available once the airport will be operational. Tourists will no longer spend the travel from Manila to (Mactan) Cebu, (Mactan) Cebu to Bantayan, it will be Manila to Bantayan, or Hongkong to Bantayan or wherever.

Despi said that the time and expense for those extra travel can become savings and that money can be used to spend more in the Island, that’s how huge the economic impact of the airport.  He added that airport will become a legacy of the Duterte Administration, which Bantayanons will treasure forever.

Madridejos Mayor Sally dela Fuente joined in expressing her support for the Bantayan Airport project and its economic development of the island.   “We welcome the support of the President and Senator Bong Go because it's a very big help to all Bantayanons.”

Dela Fuente added that the airport development here can trigger opening of more businesses which means more livelihood and employment opportunities to the locals.

Meanwhile, Espinosa commented that the airport project will also benefit the agriculture sector, it would create more demand for their products and more micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will be encouraged to go into support industries such as souvenir products and logistics, among others.

"Sta. Fe, which is known for its white, powdery beaches, has yet to maximize its full potentials. While it has been drawing tourists, mostly locals, Sta Fe has long hoped to get its fair share of tourists, local and international, just like the other leading tourist destinations in the country," Mayor Espinosa added. (Photos: Google Images)