BY SAMMY JULIAN
AIRPORTS are much more than places to catch planes, or do some duty-free shopping. They are among the largest investments a city and region make.
At the same time, it is a key to the fast flow of people and tourists, resources and money into countries as it provides access to local and international markets and trade.
In fact, the close connection between airports and a country’s development has been noted in several studies.
One careful statistical study finds associations between airline passengers and regional employment growth; a 10 percent increase in passengers in a city generates a one percent increase in regional employment.
The study concludes that “good airline service is an important factor in urban economic development.”
As we all know, airports move two kinds of things — goods or cargo and people. In fact, a good deal of the argument about airports and economic development has focused on moving things and the business and industries that grow around that.
Also, it is in the airports that visitors get their first and last impression of a country. It is, therefore, important that we make sure that the first and last thing people see when they visit our country is the sight of an efficient and capable airport.
Senate President Franklin Drilon knows these facts by heart. This is why the Ilonggo senator recently urged the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to amend the country’s airport maintenance, concerning repairs and rehabilitation services.
He mainly argued that the improved airports would be a “good boost” to the country’s international image when it hosts the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit next year.
The good maintenance and service of Philippine airports, according to Drilon, will create a good impression for the country when world leaders will flock to the Philippines for the APEC Summit meetings which will be held in at least eight different locations in the nation, including Iloilo City.
As for the budget for the repair and rehabilitation of the country’s airports? The big man at the Senate pointed out that P13.3 billion in the P2.606-trillion proposed 2015 national government budget have been allotted for such undertakings.
The DOTC would receive in time P13.3 billion under the proposed 2015 budget.
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) will receive P592 million for its capacity expansion and maximization.
Clark Airport will be given P1.2 billion; the Busuanga Airport with P1.02 billion; General Santos Airport, P959 million; Ozamis Airport with P695 million; Calbayog Airport, P678 million; and Camarines Sur Airport in Naga with P670 million.
Meanwhile, P1.55 billion each in 2015 to Puerto Princesa Airport and Bicol International Airport, P400 million for New Bohol (Panglao) International Airport Development Project, and P75.44 million for Laguindingan International Airport will be received by the said airports.
The budget set for the supported airports is lodged under the DOTC’s budget of P59 billion, an increase of 20 percent from its current level of P48.8 billion.
As for Region 6, Drilon revealed that based in the National Expenditures Program (NEP), P1.7 billion has been earmarked for the upgrades of two airports in Panay Island next year – Kalibo International Airport in Aklan province (P950 million) and Iloilo Airport in Iloilo province (P791 million).
Drilon said it is imperative for DOTC to work on the improvements of the two major airports of Panay Island as both are hosting side meetings of the 2015 APEC.
World-famous Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan will host senior official meetings as well as meetings of ministers of trade. Both are scheduled in May 2015.
On the other hand, Iloilo City has been chosen as the venue for two APEC meetings: the SME Ministerial Meeting (SME) from Sept. 21 to 25, 2015 with 700 delegates expected to attend, and the Food Security Week (High Level Policy Dialogue on Food Security and the Blue Economy and Related Meetings) from Sept. 28 to Oct. 6, 2015 to be attended by around 900 delegates.
The two airports in Panay Island also have to undergo expansion as they serve passengers beyond their holding capacity, due to the increase of both domestic and international flights that bring an overwhelming number of tourists to Boracay.
If that’s not enough, Drilon gave his assurance that the Senate is willing to extend additional support; however, only for as long as the DOTC can also give its assurance that the airport developments will be finished before the APEC meetings in 2015.
When we allow our airports to remain unsatisfactorily dilapidated, Drilon said, we are also allowing a great deal of revenues to fly away.
We applaud the Senate president for feverishly seeking our airports’ enhancement. Never have we agreed so fully with someone else’s argument or point of view than in this instance.
We fully espouse the belief that a great deal of revenues would “fly away” if our airports remain unsatisfactorily dilapidated.
We must then respond to the rising number of passengers flying in and out of the county with better service, improved facilities and more responsible airport management./PN
