Airport Upgrading

Foreign investors and tourists are expected to multiply with the rehabilitation of the San Fernando Airport , which is most likely to be completed on July 8, according to Mayor Pablo Ortega.

The airport, located at Barangay Canaoay has been widened to accommodate international flights, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region such as China, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Hongkong, Korea and Indonesia.

Thunderbird Resorts Inc., international property developer, has formally turned over a total of P55-million as contribution for funding its rehabilitation and development to Bases Conversion Development Authority recently.

Mayor Ortega added that the addition of an international-standard airport will not only enhance the economy of the city but also of the whole region. It was estimated to reach up to P516-million after its development.

He added that employment will also increase with the presence of a soon-to be-opened golf course and a hotel in the area, as well as generates income for the city government.

The Mayor’s foresight was reiterated by the private business sectors in the province. Raul Sueiro, chief executive officer of Thunderbird Resorts said that travelers in and out of the city and the province can now avail of chartered flights to transport them.” It would attract tourists and are welcome to enjoy its beaches,” he said. He added that Thunderbird Resorts has invested a total of P600-million in the Poro Point Special Economic Freeport Zone.

It was learned that the airport development is 17 percent complete, including the runway, tower, power house, fire and water stations and the terminal building as of December.

Tourism, recreational commercial area is also under construction which included the golf course which started its construction February last year. It is 90 percent finished as of January 18. The hotel construction which started last May is 63 percent complete, According to Katherine Pada of the Poro Point Management Corp.

An industrial development which will include the rehabilitation of the city seaport is also underway. At present, five of its piers cater to local and international shipping. The rehabilitations of these ports are vital to the operations of the Poro Point Special Economic Freeport Zone. On March 2007, Rep. Act 9400 was amended to confirm the present status of the Poro Point freeport zone.

There also were reports that Loakan Airport in Baguio City may face closure after the completion of the San Fernando Airport but were denied by City Mayor Reinaldo Bautista in an interview with ABS-CBN. “The City Mayor (Pablo Ortega) may have been misquoted,” he said, reacting to an alleged pronouncement of President Gloria Arroyo, which was also reiterated by Mayor Ortega in a recent press statement.