By PRINCE GOLEZ
Manila Reporter
MANILA — Sen. Jinggoy Estrada filed a bill seeking the creation of the Aklan Airport Authority.
The airport entity shall manage and supervise Aklan’s two airports: the Kalibo International Airport and the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport (Caticlan airport), according to Senate Bill (SB) 2195.
In filing the measure, Estrada said there is a need to improve the facilities in these airports because of the increase in air traffic.
“The world-famous Boracay … is one of the top tourist destinations of the Philippines,” he said.
“Business activities also flourish in the area, [catering] to foreign and local visitors.”
SB 2195 aims to make the central and western Visayas the “centers of international trade and tourism” and seeks to formulate internationally acceptable standards of airport accommodation and service.
It said the Aklan Airport Authority’s principal office shall be located in Kalibo, the province’s capital town.
In February, Cong. Teodorico Haresco Jr. of Aklan filed a similar measure in the Lower House.
It is pending with the House committee on government enterprises and privatization.
The airport authority shall have an 11-member governing body, Haresco said in House Bill 113.
In 2008, Sen. Loren Legarda also sought the establishment of such entity.
She said the authority will provide “modern safety and security facilities” that will support the rapid growth of Boracay’s tourism./PN
