Airport, ro-ro port in 4th District to be upgraded

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon filed two bills in Congress for the rehabilitation, improvement and modernization of Bantayan Island Airport (House Bill No. 2708) and for the construction of Ro-Ro ferry landing facility in the town of Daanbantayan (House Bill No. 2709).

Salimbangon explained that since the construction of the airport in Bantayan many years ago, it has never been operational for any domestic flight due to lack of airport facilities and navigational equipments. The only facility is has is a short and dilapidated runway.

“The hard fact is that the island of Bantayan is one of the country’s famous tourist destinations,” the bill reads, adding that the trend is that each year, there is a significant increase in the figure of visitors, foreigners and locals wanting to take their vacation in the island.

However, Salimbangon said that reaching the island is time-consuming and does not appear to be so convenient as visitors and tourists from the neighboring islands of the province of Cebu has to make a stop over in Cebu City since there is no direct route going there whether by sea or by air.

He explained that from the city to the port where ferries that will transport the passengers to the island are found, is approximately three hours travel and from the port to the island itself is another one hour.

“It is therefore apt that the existing airport be rehabilitated, improved and modernized for it to be operational for domestic flights. It must be capable of addressing air infrastructure and air safety travel matters by providing the same with the needed infrastructure facilities and modern, state-of-the-art navigational equipments. In so doing, getting to the island comes more convenient and less tiring. Its rehabilitation will undoubtedly provide a more convenient, safer, and more efficient means of transportation,” HB 2708 reads. (FREEMAN)