ANTIQUE – The upgrading of the Evelio Javier Airport in Barangay Funda-Dalipe, San Jose de Buenavista town in this province will begin next month.
This was confirmed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. himself during his third visit in the province on Thursday, June 27, to lead the ceremonial distribution of cash assistance under the Presidential Assistance for Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families (PAFFF) program.
“Kasabay nito ang pagsasakatuparan ng Antique Airport Development Project na magbibigay ng serbisyo sa mas maraming pasahero at mas malalaking eroplano,” President Marcos said.
The President added: “Alam niyo po noong nag-landing kami, nabanggit ko kay senadora [Loren Legarda] at sabi ko napakaganda na pala noong airport ninyo. Kaya’t ito’y malaking bagay, kaya’t congratulations, senator. Alam kong pinaghirapan mo ‘yung airport at dinahan-dahan niyo ‘yan.”
He also reminded Sen. Legarda to invite him during the airport’s inauguration.
The Antique airport’s upgrade includes extending the runway, placing check-in counters and other facilities inside the passenger terminal building.
For her part, Sen. Legarda expressed elation that she was invited by the President to accompany him on his Antique visit.
It was Sen. Legarda, together with Antique Lone District’s Rep. Antonio Legarda Jr., who made efforts in ensuring the fund allocation.
“Sana maudyokan natin ang DOTr (Department of Transportation) para sa next landing po ninyo sa bagong airport na,” the senator told President Marco on Thursday.
In February this year, DOTr welcomed the approval of the P500-million fund for the Antique airport upgrade, adding that it has the potential to boost the economy and tourism in Western Visayas.
Under the 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA), P500 million will be allocated for the “construction rehabilitation, and improvement of other transportation infrastructure-aviation.”
Currently, the Antique airport caters to three flights per week— on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, all by the Philippine Airlines — accommodating 60 passengers each.
The airport is named after the late governor Evelio Javier who served the province from 1971 to 1980.
A critic of the Marcos dictatorship, he was assassinated on February 11, 1986, two weeks before the People Power Revolution.
The airport was partially renovated with the help of Sen. Legarda and Gov. Rhodora Cadiao.
Before the renovation, the airport was not operational due to a lack of passengers traveling from Antique to Manila.
It is among the eight airports to be improved with budgets in the 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
The others were the Laoag International Airport (P785 million), Tacloban Airport (P1.420 billion), Bukidnon Airport (P80 million), Ninoy Aquino International Airport (P43 million), New Zamboanga International Airport (P200 million), Vigan Airport (P50 million), and M’lang Airport (P15 million)./PN
