SP takes stand on 2 controversial issues

The News Today, 8/14/2006
By Maricar M. Calubiran

For the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, it is better late than never to pour out their sentiments on the omission of the city in the plan to put up the Task Force for the Panay Tourism Development Authority and the proposed changing of the name of the new Iloilo International Airport to Panay International Airport.

Last week, the city council unanimously approved two resolutions vehemently objecting the non-inclusion of the city in the plan to put up the Task Force for the Panay Tourism Authority.

The non-inclusion of the city was earlier protested by Mayor Jerry Treñas. He even sent a letter to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last week. The President has yet to give its reply to the chief executive.

The creation of the task force is specifically designed to promote Panay Island as tourism and investment destination as part of the Super Regions programs of the President. The creation of the Super Regions was made by the President during her recent State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Regional Development Council chair Sally Perez has already apologized to the mayor for the non-inclusion of the city in the Task Force for the Panay Tourism Authority. While, Assistant Secretary Salvador Sarabia assured that he will move for the inclusion of Iloilo City in the said task force. He personally went to the mayor's office and briefed the latter on the program.

Aside from the non-inclusion of the city in the Task Force for the Panay Tourism Development Authority, the city council also made a stand on the proposed plan to change the name of the new Iloilo International Airport to the Panay International Airport.

Apart from the council, the Rotary Club of Iloilo City has also taken their stand on the two issues recently hugging the headlines of the local media. The group through its president Rebecca Maravilla sent a letter to the chief executive relative to the two issues.

The News Today, 8/14/2006

Gonzalez opposed plans to rename the new Iloilo airport in Cabatuan-Sta. Barbara area to Panay International Airport

Gonzalez on PDA: I am displeased, too
The Guardian Iloilo, 8/11/2006
By Francis Allan L. Angelo

DEPARTMENT of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. is also displeased with the omission of Iloilo City from the Panay Development Authority (PDA).

Gonzalez said over Aksyon Radyo-Iloilo yesterday that he was “so unhappy and disappointed” over the exclusion of his own city from the PDA setup formulated by Tourism Undersecretary Salvador Sarabia and Antique Governor Salvacion Perez.

“Iloilo City is the regional and economic center of Western Visayas. There is no reason to exclude the city from any development effort,” Gonzalez said.

But Gonzalez denied reports that he scolded Perez for the PDA brouhaha.

“I just conferred with her on what happened with the PDA. As a matter of protocol and respect, I cannot scold someone who belongs to our group, especially a local chief executive,” Gonzalez said.

When asked if he referred the PDA issue to President Gloria Arroyo, Gonzalez said he would rather let Sarabia and Perez settle things with Mayor Jerry Treñas.

“I don’t normally bring to the President’s attention concerns that can be solved at the local level,” he said.

Gonzalez also opposed plans to rename the new Iloilo airport in Cabatuan-Sta. Barbara area to Panay International Airport.

Perez had apologized to Treñas during the Regional Development Council (RDC) executive committee meeting Wednesday.

The lady governor and RDC chair said they “unintentionally excluded” Iloilo City from the PDA, which will later be called Panay Tourism Development Authority, due to their excitement in presenting the concept to presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor.

But before Perez’s “I’m sorry”, another blunder almost happened at the RDC meeting when the council left out Iloilo City and Bacolod City from the core membership of the proposed Western Visayas Historical and Cultural Council (WVHCC).

Luckily for the RDC, city planning and development officer Jose Peñalosa and Department of Tourism regional head Edwin Trompeta saved the day for Perez by calling for amendments to the resolution creating the WVHCC.

Iloilo Airport

For a compilation of Iloilo Airport news, go to IloiloAirport.com

Natividad: What's in a name?

Sunstar Iloilo, 8/11/2006
By Cyrus A. Natividad
Upbeat

YESTERDAY, I was surprised when a media man asked me, "Are you in favor of the Iloilo Airport of International Standards' name changed to Panay Airport of International Standards?

I told myself, "It's a brilliant idea coming from a parasite that is running out of strategies to promote oneself." Of course, I was not referring to the guy who asked me.

I answered him, "I'm not in favor of knocking down the pride of Iloilo by taking its name off on the new airport."

It's just a name. But, take the case of Mactan. It's a very small island where the Mactan International Airport is located. Its name is being written on correspondences that roam around the world --- mail, tags, couriers, faxes, airline notices, terminal monitors, and more. This brings opportunity to Mactan. That's how important having "Iloilo" on the airport's name on us, too.

Travelers will be informed that there is such a placed called Iloilo because of its airport of international standards.

From this comes tourism and cultural convergence that can bring about socio-economic opportunities to Iloilo.

I believe the other provinces around Iloilo will also reap bounty through the economic linkages of the airport development.

Sunstar Iloilo, 8/11/2006

Sally: I’m sorry, Jerry

The Guardian Iloilo, 8/10/2006
By Francis Allan L. Angelo

A SECOND course of faux pas almost spoiled the apology of Antique Governor Salvacion “Sally” Perez to Mayor Jerry Treñas for the unintentional omission of Iloilo City from the Panay Development Authority.

This time, the Perez-led Regional Development Council (RDC) almost forgot to include Iloilo City and Bacolod City in the Western Visayas Historical and Cultural Council (WVHCC).

The WVHCC took form through Executive Committee Resolution No. 2 passed by the RDC last April 19, 2006.

The purpose of the WVHCC is to formulate policies and coordinate all regional activities related to culture, history and heritage preservation.

Just like in the case of PDC, only the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo and Negros Occidental were identified as one of the core members of WVHCC.

During the RDC execom meeting held at the National Economic Development Authority (Neda) building yesterday, Iloilo City Planning and Development officer Jose Peñalosa and Department of Tourism regional director Edwin Trompeta pointed to the body the absence of Iloilo City and Bacolod City from the WVHCC membership.

Trompeta promptly motioned to amend the resolution to include the two charter cities.

Perez feigned surprise at the “oversight” saying “Nalimtan naman ang Iloilo City (Was Iloilo City missed out again)?”

“This happens because we discuss about provinces only. It’s good that the resolution was amended because we want maximum participation from all local government units in the region,” Perez said.

After the WVHCC membership was straightened out, Perez apologized to Treñas and Trompeta before the RDC executive committee for the PDA brouhaha.

Last week, Treñas got mad over the absence of Iloilo City from the proposed PDA revival during the RDC awarding rites for best public sector projects at Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center.

No less than presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor saw how Treñas’ temper flared up over the exclusion of Iloilo City from the PDA.

The fiasco resulted to a “word war” of sorts between Treñas and Perez who called the former “immature and a spoiled brat.”

Perez said the accidental omission of Iloilo City from the PDA was caused by their “overzealous effort” to finish the proposal for presentation to Defensor.

“There was too much excitement for me and Tourism Undersecretary (Salvador) Dong Sarabia because the PDA was our assignment from President Arroyo. We also showed the proposal to Mayor Treñas for his inputs and that was the time he got mad,” the lady governor said.

Perez also acknowledged Treñas for broaching the PDA idea during the joint RDC-cabinet meeting of President Arroyo in Cebu in June.

As a peace offering to Treñas whom she described as her “surrogate son”, Perez said she sent Treñas a book on the life of Ilonggo hero Graciano Lopez-Jaena.

‘PANAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’

Perez also clarified the controversy on the renaming of the new Iloilo airport in Cabatuan-Sta. Barbara area to Panay International Airport.

She said the proposed name popped up during a dinner tendered by the President to Panay governors last month.

Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas, who severed his support for the Arroyo administration July last year, and Treñas were not present in the said meeting.

“The President was discussing the tourism sector in Panay and she said the new airport will become the hub of the industry. Then we suggested to the President to name the airport Panay International Airport. It was just a spontaneous suggestion to the President’s plans on the Panay tourism sector,” Perez explained.

Meanwhile, Trompeta said the new Iloilo airport is still nameless.

“The name will depend on the charter which will be drafted and approved once the airport is operational,” Trompeta said.

The Guardian Iloilo, 8/10/2006

Worst Ever Landing

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Cabatuan exec joins call to retain airport's name

Sunstar Iloilo, 8/10/2006

CABATUAN Mayor Ramon Yee joined Iloilo provincial officials in saying that the existing Iloilo Airport of International Standards name should not be changed to Panay Airport of International Standards.

"It took us a long time to push for this airport here," Yee said. "Also, Panay is such a big place for an airport to be named after. Besides, the airport is located here in Iloilo," he added.

Last August 3, the Regional Development Council headed by Antique Governor Sally Zaldivar Perez, pushed for the change in the airport's name.

Her resolution was forwarded to the Office of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and they hope that an executive order will be released as regards this.

This garnered protests from Iloilo provincial officials. The Provincial Board of Iloilo approved a resolution last Tuesday opposing the said proposal.

The resolution was authored by Board Member Doming Oso, Jr., chairman of the Committee on Ordinances, Legal Matters and Inter-Government Relations.

The PB cited that there was lack of basis and without consultation with the host province. The existing name also gives honor and recognition to Ilonggo leaders who worked for the realization of the project.

"The said proposal was made without consultation either to Mayor Jerry P. Treñas who is one of the members of the said council and to Governor Niel Tupas Sr," Oso said.

Oso said that though the proposal wanted Antique, Aklan, Capiz and Guimaras to share the recognition, the Iloilo Government was the only contractor and worked hard for the project.

Board Member Bernardo Silla Jr felt insulted with the proposal for the change of name. He suggested that RDC be probed and if the leadership is found incompetent, it should be changed or condemned.

The board also reiterated that the RDC cannot act on its own and it violated procedure. (KVC)

Sunstar Iloilo, 8/10/2006

Iloilo officials slam plan to change name of Iloilo airport

The Guardian Iloilo, 8/9/06
By Francis Allan L. Angelo

EFFORTS to rename the new Iloilo airport in Cabatuan-Sta. Barbara area as “Panay International Airport” is a misnomer, according to Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas Sr.

Tupas even laughed at the proposal of Antique Governor Salvacion Perez to scrap the name of Iloilo from the new airport of international grade.

“Panay refers to an aggrupation of provinces which includes in Iloilo. Why call it Panay airport when it is located in Iloilo? Laoag airport was called as such because it is located in Laoag. The same is true with Mactan and other airports in the country,” Tupas said.

Tupas stressed that there are other airports in Panay. He surmised that Perez, chair of the Regional Development Council, only wants to partake of the recognition Iloilo will get once the new airport is operational.

Provincial Administrator Manuel Mejorada also gave proponents of the “Panay International Airport” a mouthful on geography.

“In most international maps, Panay is not indicated, only Iloilo. If you call the new Iloilo airport as Panay airport, people from other countries might be in a quandary as to where it is located,’ Mejorada said.

Tupas said he was not consulted on the broached renaming of the Iloilo airport.

“Naming the new airport after Iloilo will put the province on the international tourism map. It will promote Iloilo to the world,” Tupas said.

Yesterday, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan condemned efforts to call the new Iloilo airport by any other name.

Board Member Domingo Oso read the statement of condemnation during their regular session Tuesday.

Oso said Perez’s proposal is unacceptable to the province where the airport is located.

Vice Governor Roberto Armada, Perez’s partymate in the Liberal Party-Atienza wing, is also opposed to renaming the new Iloilo airport.

“This will, in effect, deprive the people of the city and province of Iloilo of their honor and prestige. All over the world airports are named either after the city or province where they are situated like Narita International Airport in Narita, Japan or Inchon International Airport in Inchon province, South Korea,” Armada said in a statement faxed to The Guardian.

Airports can also be named after heroes or prominent officials by way of legislation such as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Armada added.

Mayor Jerry Treñas, who blew his top last week over the non-inclusion of Iloilo City in the Panay Development Authority (PDA), is also against the name “Panay international airport.”

The Sangguniang Panglungsod will also pass a resolution against the renaming of the new Iloilo airport and another resolution slamming the omission of the city from the PDA.

The Guardian Iloilo, 8/9/06

Provincial Board lambastes council for airport name proposal

Sunstar Iloilo, 8/9/06
By Lory Ann B. Bilbao

THE Provincial Board approved a resolution opposing the proposal that the name of the airport being constructed at Cabatuan, be changed to Panay Airport of International Standards.

The resolution was pushed by Board Member Doming Oso, Jr., chairman of the Committee on Ordinances, Legal Matters and Inter-Government Relations.

Earlier, the Regional Development Council (RDC) made the proposal for the change of the airport’s name. The board cited that there was lack of basis and without consultant to the host province.

Thus, they opted to adopt the original name, which is the Iloilo Airport of International Standards to give honor to the host province and due recognition to Ilonggo leaders who worked for the realization of the project.

"The said proposal was made without consultation either to Mayor Jerry P. Treñas who is one of the members of the said council and to Governor Niel Tupas Sr.”

Oso said this was conceived by the RDC members from the different parts of Region 6, in the presence of Board Members Lilia Gonzales and Cecilia Capadosa and Presidential Chief of Staff Mike Arroyo, last August 3 during the council’s awarding of best government projects.

Reportedly, this was formed into a resolution, which was reported to be forwarded to the office of the President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo soon and was hoped to be fulfilled through an executive order.

"Who made the move to pass this resolution? Board Member Niel Tupas Jr. asked.

Gonzales said that it was Antique Governor and Chairman of the RDC Sally Perez.

Oso said that though the proposal was merely aimed to include other provinces like that of Perez's province, Aklan and Guimaras among others, and to share with them the gain of being recognized internationally, the Government of Iloilo was the only contractor and the ones which worked hard for putting up the said project.

Tupas Jr., only wondered why there is now the aim to change the name into Panay when it was Iloilo nine years ago or in 1997.

"It was an insult to us!" Board Member Bernardo Silla Jr said.

"The leadership of the RDC should be consulted. If there is incompetence, the leadership should be changed or condemned!" BM Angel Briones said citing an earlier instance where the city of Iloilo was not also included in the Panay Development Authority (PTDA) when the provinces of Antique and Aklan among others -- which were all located in Panay, wanted to be recognized through renaming the airport in Iloilo into Panay.

Tupas also wondered of the process the RDC exhausted in passing this proposal.

"The usual procedure in the RDC in passing such proposal, the lower council (municipal) endorses to a higher council (provincial-regional). To my mind, the RDC cannot act on its own."

What the RDC exhausted then as per Oso's proclamation was not a procedure in passing a resolution.

Board Member and former Chairman of the Regional Tourism Development Plan Rodolfo Cabado concluded, “The airport being constructed in Cabatuan was conceived in whole of Provincial Capitol. Let the LGU, which sacrificed so much receive the recognition."

He pointed out that the airport has caused the capitol leaders “a lot of headache and heartache" in pushing through the materialization of the airport. Besides, an airport is not named before the island's name where it is located but before the province and the government that made it rise.

Vice Governor Roberto Armada also expressed, in his letter, his strong disagreement with the proposal and also pushed that the airport here be named before Iloilo, where it is located.

Sunstar Iloilo, 8/9/06

New Iloilo airport to boost Panay tourism

http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph
By Jeehan V. Fernandez, 8/7/06

ECONOMIC Planning secretary Romulo Neri said the P6.2-billion new Iloilo airport which is nearing completion in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo will boost the tourism industry in Panay Island.

Neri, who is also the director general of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), was here last week together with Presidential Chief of Staff Mike Defensor to grace the awarding rites of the Regional Development Council’s (RDC-6) search for best public sector projects.

Neri said the national government has lined up several plans geared toward tourism promotions even as the ambitious mega-region program of President Gloria Arroyo has positioned Panay as among the tourism hubs in Central Philippines.

“There are excited prospects for the new Iloilo airport as we are bullish on Panay tourism,” Neri told reporters.

Neri explained that among government plans to improve the economy is the adoption of the “open skies” policy for the newly-built airport in Iloilo, just like the scheme being implemented in Clark.

Neri said the new airport will serve as “tourism magnet” and the country is expecting about 1.5 million visitors yearly. He added that around 50,000 tourists are coming from China alone.

The region’s tourism industry has been anchored on the world-famous Boracay Island which was visited by almost half a million tourists last year.

The new Iloilo airport which is expected to operate next year is considered as gateway to Boracay and other local tourist spots in the region. Iloilo, being the host of the airport, stands to benefit from the influx of tourists visiting the region.

In a related tourism-focused campaign, Ben Jimena, executive assistant to City Mayor Jerry Treñas, said that Iloilo will hold the Western Visayas Tourism Assembly (WVTA) October 26 - 29.

Jimena said the event, which aims to promote the tourism potentials of the region, will showcase travel exhibits, festivals parade, cultural presentations and destination booths.

“We are expecting greater cooperation among stakeholders, a grander celebration and more visitors to come over,” Jimena stressed.

http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/

Airport Name Game

http://www.panaynews.com.ph
By Gerome Dalipe IV, 8/7/06

It should be Iloilo, not Panay, insist city, prov’l officials

ILOILO – What’s in a name? A lot, according to the Sanguniang Panlalawigan of Iloilo Province and the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Iloilo City.

Naming the soon to be completed airport at the tri-boundaries of Sta. Barbara, Cabatuan and San Miguel towns “Iloilo International Airport” will bring myriad of benefits to the city and province, especially in their tourism industries, explained Provincial Board Member Domingo Oso.

Besides, Oso argued, the new airport is specifically located in Iloilo; Antique Gov. Salvacion “Sally” Zaldivar-Perez, the chairman of the Regional Development Council (RDC-6), recently revealed that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is drafting an Executive Order to name the new airport “Panay International Airport.”

The Sanguniang Panlalawigan of Iloilo will pass a resolution today objecting to the Malacañang-proposed name.

Oso confirmed he will be sponsoring the resolution.

Panay is an island, Oso said. The name of the airport should be specific to where it is actually situated, he added.

In Iloilo City, Mayor Jerry Treñas is also objecting to the “Panay” name.

The City Council will pass a resolution similar to that of the Provincial Board, said Oso.

The resolutions will be sent to Office of the President and Secretaries of the Departments of Tourism and Interior and Local Government.

Gov. Niel Tupas and Treñas said they were not consulted on the plan to name the airport “Panay International Airport.”

Tupas said tourists might get confused. He also said Iloilo city and province are premier locations in Western Visayas.

The tourism industries of the city and province will be adversely affected if the airport is not named after Iloilo, he warned.

The New Iloilo Airport Development Project (NIADP) is worth P5.2 billion. It is being constructed on a 188-hectare area straddling the towns of Sta. Barbara, Cabatuan and San Miguel, around 24 kilometers west of Iloilo City.

The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) is funding the international airport. Taisei-Shimizu Joint Venture is the contractor of the project.

The construction started on March 2004. The airport is expected to be operational by July 2007.

It will have state-of-the-art facilities including a modern terminal, control towers, buildings and landing and navigation systems.

It will have a runway 2.5 kilometers long and 45 meters wide, a passenger terminal with 12,000 square meters of space and a 1,281-square meter cargo terminal.

http://www.panaynews.com.ph/