EDITORIAL - Expecting an economic boom

Steps are now being taken for the development of the airstrip in San Francisco town into a commercial airport, a move that the Cebu provincial government expects will further the tourism industry in the four municipalities that comprise the Camotes Islands.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Mactan-Cebu International Airport general manager Steve Dicdican, and GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. president Louie Ferrer conducted an ocular inspection the other day as plans transforming the 1.8-kilometer Camotes airstrip into a community airport are fast gaining ground.

“We're looking at the possibility of first doing a community airport similar to that of Bantayan and eventually grow it to a commercial airport,” said Dicdican, who is optimistic MCIA can enter into a partnership with the provincial government on the project.

Garcia, for her part, sees the airstrip’s development will usher in a new age for Camotes and its inhabitants because it would further open its doors to the world, triggering massive economic growth.

“In terms of investment and tourism, an airport… would certainly (bring) huge opportunities for Camotes to be developed,” said Garcia, who urged the local government units of Pilar, Poro, San Francisco, and Tudela to come up with their own master plans and land use programs.

Well, it is good the Capitol is now laying down the groundwork for the airstrip’s development. This will only mean the islands can soon be accessible by air, which will be an option for those wanting a faster trip.

The airstrip’s development has long been overdue. Had the government developed it a decade ago, the islands would have been a major force in the province’s tourism industry by now, something that past Capitol administrations failed to realize.

It’s very unfortunate that it takes over 20 years since its establishment for the government to realize the airstrip’s importance to Camotes’ development. Still, the plan to develop the airstrip is a piece of good news, as its realization would mean an economic boom for the islands.