High impact Western Visayas tourism projects gear up

PIA Press Release. 2/7/2008
by T. Villavert

Iloilo City (7 February) -- Three quality infrastructure projects in Western Visayas are on track to be completed on schedule or before year 2010.

This was assured by Director Rolando Asis of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Region 6 in his report to DPWH Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane, Jr., noting that the projects when completed will boost the tourism industry of Western Visayas.

The three high impact projects are: the P548 Million-worth road widening project from Iloilo City to the new Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan; P676 Million Metro Iloilo Radial Road and the P453 Million Pandan-Libertad Road ending up to the boundary of Antique and Aklan Province.

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Airline company plans to have Iloilo-HK flight

The News Today (2/1/2008)
By Maricar M. Calubiran

City Mayor Jerry Treñas yesterday said Cebu Pacific is now contemplating of having flights from Iloilo to Hongkong and vice versa. The plan is part of the campaign to boost the tourism industry in the city and island-province of Guimaras.

Treñas did not release the full details of the supposed plan as the airline is still on the verge of making their business plan for future international flights to Iloilo through the Iloilo airport of international standards in Cabatuan-Sta. Barbara area.

Nevertheless, Treñas said the Cebu Pacific would have a direct flight from Iloilo to Davao vice versa. The flight will start in May 2008. The launching of new flights is a product of the efforts of the Iloilo Convention and Visitors Bureau, city government and the provincial government of Guimaras.

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Drilon explains absence in airport inauguration

The News Today. 6/19/07
By Erly C. Garcia

Senator Franklin Drilon yesterday admitted that he intentionally did not attend the inauguration rites for the new Iloilo Airport last June 13 which had Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as guest.

"To be candid about it I don't want to put some people in an uncomfortable situation with my presence," Drilon said in a press conference at the Conference Room of the new Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo.

Drilon arrived from Manila around 10 a.m. yesterday on board a Cebu Pacific plane. It was the senator's first time to set foot on the new airport since it started operation, although he had conducted series of inspections on the facility before it officially opened on June 14.

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DOTC allocates P50-M for Iloilo Airport fence

PIA Press Release. 06/19/07

Iloilo City (19 June) -- A week after the inauguration of the new Iloilo airport of international standards, Senator Franklin Drilon said there is a necessity to install a perimeter fence on the access road from the airport.

Drilon who administered the oath-taking of re-elected Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas and other elected officials of the province said in his speech that he noticed the new airport lacks a perimeter fence on the access road from the airport and referred the matter to Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary (DOTC) Leandro Mendoza.

Drilon reported that Mendoza immediately approved a P50 million allocation for the perimeter fence and the lighting on the street going to the airport so that people can enjoy better the airport that we have today.

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The New Iloilo Airport

ABS-CBN Interactive. 6/18/07
THE SOUTHERN BEAT By ROLLY ESPINA

Too often, we, Filipinos, tend to ignore problems that become full blown crises later on and drive people crazy. That’s exactly what is happening at the New Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan.

This problem, however, gives Negros Occidental and Land Transportation Office (LTO) officials time to address similar issues before the inauguration of new Bacolod Airport in Silay City this August.

At the moment, the Iloilo problem boils down to the high cost of taxi fare from Iloilo to Cabatuan and vice versa, which reaches P385 one way. This is simply way too costly for the average passenger.

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Improvement of streetlights in hi-way going to new airport pushed

The News Today. 6/18/07
By Erly C. Garcia

Streetlights along the highway going to the new Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan should be improved to ensure the safety of motorists and commuters going to the said place at night.

This was raised by Leah Victoria Lara, executive director of the Iloilo Business Club (IBC), when asked about the things that need to be improved following the start of operation of the new Iloilo Airport last week.

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New airport's security under control

The News Today. 6/18/07
By Florence F. Hibionada

Peace and order situation within and around the area of the multi-billion new Iloilo Airport is under control.

As such, travelers need not worry about any tension that can mar the operations here. On its first official week since Wednesday's inauguration, Senior Superintendent Melvin Mongcal, Provincial Director of the Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO) said all is well and normal now in as far as security is concerned.

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Feud over porterage up to Iloilo airport chief to resolve

Sunstar Iloilo. 6/16/07
By Jay Dooma Balnig

AIR Transportation Office (ATO) chief Nilo Jatico has already referred the porterage issue between his office and newspaper publisher Bernie Miaque to newly-installed, Iloilo Airport general manager Red Capunan upon his assumption at the new international airport in Sta. Barbara and Cabatuan.

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GMA reaches out to Drilon, Tupas in airport inaugural

ABS-CBN. 6/15/07
The Philippine Star

One must have to give it to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. She took advantage of the inaugural of the new P8.7-billion Iloilo airport in Cabatuan as an opportunity to reach out her hand of friendship to both Iloilo Gov. Niel Tupas and former Senate President Franklin Drilon for their contributions to the completion of the project.

Sen. Drilon was not around. But the President recognized Drilon for helping the government raise its revenues as former Senate president.

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Lot owners to get priority on NIADP employment

Balita.ph. 6/15/07

Provincial
The lot owners or their children will be priority in terms of employment at the New Iloilo Airport of Development Project (NIADP) in Sta. Barbara-Cabatuan towns in Iloilo province.

Iloilo Third Dist. Cong. Arthur Defensor who was with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo when she inaugurated the new airport last Wednesday said that it has been agreed upon that the lot owners or their children would be given priority in terms of employment provided that they are qualified for the positions.

Likewise, Cabatuan Mayor Ramon Yee said that he expects his constituents to be able to get employment when the NIADP starts its operation.

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DOTC mulls railway facility to new Iloilo airport

Balita.ph. 6/15/07

Provincial
A top official of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) has discussed with officials of Iloilo City and the business group here the possibility of putting up a railway connection from this city to the newly-opened Iloilo airport in Cabatuan.

DOTC Asst. Sec. Roberto Lastimoso told Congressman Raul Gonzalez Jr., Mayor Jerry Trenas and Iloilo Business Club President Antonio Jon his plan to look for a funding support for the proposed project.

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Train mulled for NIA–Iloilo City route

The Daily Guardian. 6/15/2007
By Jeehan V. Fernandez

THE P8-billion new Iloilo Airport in Sta. Barbara-Cabatuan towns, some 19 kilometers north of Iloilo City, might inspire the construction of a modern train transport system here.

Mayor Jerry Treñas yesterday said he learned of plans for a railway system for the airport- city route and vice versa after his talk with Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) undersecretary Roberto Lastimoso, Iloilo City Rep. Raul Gonzalez Jr., and Iloilo Business Club (IBC) president Tony Jon during the airport inauguration Wednesday.

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Not so perfect start for New Iloilo Airport

The Daily Guardian. 6/15/2007
By Francis Allan L. Angelo

CALL it birth pains.

Tension, confusion and a haywire conveyor belt spoiled the first day of commercial operations of the New Iloilo Airport (NIA) yesterday.

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DOTC eyeing Iloilo as WV cargo hub

Visayan Daily Star. 6/15/2007

CABATUAN, ILOILO - Iloilo is being eyed as a cargo hub especially for seafood exports with the opening of the Iloilo international airport in this town.

Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza noted that the Western Visayas region accounts for 60 percent of the country's seafood which are also exported to other countries especially Hong Kong and Japan.

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Tension mars opening of int'l airport in Iloilo

Visayan Daily Star. 6/15/2007

BY NESTOR BURGOS JR.
ILOILO CITY - Tension marred the first day of operations of the new Iloilo international airport in Cabatuan town after porters in the old airport insisted on working in the new facility.

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Silay airport inauguration August

Visayan Daily Star. 6/14/2007

CABATUAN, Iloilo - President Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday called it the "the most modern and beautiful airport in the Philippines," and said the Iloilo airport is "a shining example of the best that is yet to come for the Filipino people."

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Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo cuts the ceremonial ribbon

(June 13, 2007) Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo cuts the ceremonial ribbon with (L-R) Secretary Arthur Yap, Congressman Arthur Defensor, Ambassador Ryuichiro Yamazaki, Secretary Raul Gonzales, TESDA Chairman Buboy Syjuco, and Iloilo Governor Niel Tupaz during the inauguration of the new Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan and Sta.Barbara, in Iloilo. (RENY PAMPOLINA/PCPO)

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo cuts the ceremonial ribbon

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo cuts the ceremonial ribbon cutting with (L-R) Secretary Arthur Yap,Congressman Arthur Defensor,Ambassador Ryuichiro Yamazaki,Secretary Raul Gonzales, TESDA chairman Buboy Syjuco and iloilo Governor Niel Tupaz during the inaguration of the new iloilo airport in Cabatuan and sta.Barbara in iloilo.(JERRY CARUAL/PCPO)

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo cuts the ceremonial ribbon

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo cuts the ceremonial ribbon cutting with (L-R) Secretary Arthur Yap,Congressman Arthur Defensor,Ambassador Ryuichiro Yamazaki,Secretary Raul Gonzales, TESDA chairman Buboy Syjuco and iloilo Governor Niel Tupaz during the inaguration of the new iloilo airport in Cabatuan and sta.Barbara in iloilo.(JERRY CARUAL/PCPO)

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo applauds after unveiling the marker

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo applauds after unveiling the marker of the new Iloilo International Airport which she inaugurated Wednesday (June 13) at Cabatuan, Iloilo. Also in photo are (from left) Japanese Ambassador Ryuichiro Yamazaki, Iloilo Governor Niel Tupaz, and Rep. Arthur Defensor. (Rolando Mailo-OPS/NIB Photo)

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo unveils the marker

(June 13, 2007) Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo unveils the marker together with (L-R) Secretary Arthur Yap, TESDA chairman Buboy Syjuco, Secretary Raul Gonzales, and Ambassador Ryuichiro Yamazaki during the inauguration of the new Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan and Sta.Barbara in iloilo. (JERRY CARUAL/PCPO)

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo walks with DOTC secretary Leandro Mendoza

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo walks with DOTC secretary Leandro Mendoza as they inspects the facilities inside the airport during the inaguration of the new iloilo airport in Cabatuan and sta.Barbara in iloilo. (JERRY CARUAL/PCPO)

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is all smiles as she inspects the pre-departure facilities

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is all smiles as she inspects the pre-departure facilities of the new Iloilo International Airport following its inauguration Wednesday (June 13) in Cabatuan, Iloilo. Also in photo is Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza (right). (Rolando Mailo-OPS/NIB Photo)

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo walks with DOTC secretary Leandro Mendoza

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo walks with DOTC secretary Leandro Mendoza as they inspects the facilities inside the airport during the inaguration of the new iloilo airport in Cabatuan and sta.Barbara in iloilo.(JERRY CARUAL/PCPO)

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo walks with DOTC secretary Leandro Mendoza

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo walks with DOTC secretary Leandro Mendoza as they inspects the facilities inside the airport during the inaguration of the new iloilo airport in Cabatuan and sta.Barbara in iloilo.(RENY PAMPOLINA/PCPO)

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is briefed by Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is briefed by Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza (right) as they inspect the facilities of the new Iloilo International Airport following its inauguration Wednesday (June 13) at Cabatuan, Iloilo. (Rolando Mailo-OPS/NIB Photo)

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo walks with DOTC secretary Leandro Mendoza

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo walks with DOTC secretary Leandro Mendoza as they inspect the facilities inside the airport during the inauguration of the new iloilo airport in Cabatuan and Sta. Barbara in iloilo.(JERRY CARUAL/PCPO)

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo walks with DOTC secretary Leandro Mendoza

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo walks with DOTC secretary Leandro Mendoza as they inspects the facilities inside the airport during the inaguration of the new iloilo airport in Cabatuan and sta.Barbara in iloilo.(JERRY CARUAL/PCPO)

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo paused after her speech for a photo opportunity

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo paused after her speech for a photo opportunity with the officials during the inaguration of the new iloilo airport in Cabatuan and sta.Barbara in iloilo.(RENY PAMPOLINA/PCPO)

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo gestures on her speech

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo gestures on her speech during the inaguration of the new iloilo airport in Cabatuan and sta.Barbara in iloilo.(RENY PAMPOLINA/PCPO)