Siquijor airport upgrade seen to boost tourism

CEBU, Philippines — The ongoing rehabilitation and upgrading of Siquijor airport is expected to boost tourism once completed and once travel is allowed in the island.

Siquijor Governor Zaldy Villa and Congressman Jake Vincent Villa have expressed optimism that more tourists will flock to the province once the new airport begins its operation.

The passenger terminal building, powerhouse, and the vehicular parking area of the airport were already completed in October last year.

The Department of Public Works and Highways-7 spearheaded the construction of the terminal and runway following a grant of exception from the P350-million limit.

As for the runway extension project, the bidding will start next month.

Just recently, the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas together with the Siquijor provincial officials conducted an ocular visit of the said facility which is part of the Duterte administration’s Build, Build, Build Program.

OPAV, in a statement, said the Duterte administration also provided additional funding of P450 million to extend the runway equivalent to that of Dumaguete Airport’s runway length and another P350 million to expand or widen the runway to accommodate bigger planes.

Meanwhile, the Siquijor government has already created a master plan or urban plan for the province.

With this, Siquijor is expected to receive P1 million from Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA). — KQD (FREEMAN)