New Panglao airport set to open by August

CEBU, Philippines — The new Panglao International Airport in Bohol, designed as the country’s first eco-airport, is on track to commercially operate by August.

The Department of Transportation announced the Bohol's newest air hub is now 90.14 percent complete as of June 30.

DOTr said the Panglao Airport is dubbed as the "Green Gateway to the World" as it uses environment-friendly and sustainable structures, along with solar panels to be installed on the passenger terminal building's roof to cover around a third of the airport's energy requirement.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency-funded Panglao Airport, whose construction in 2015, is expected to accommodate two million passengers in its opening year alone.

That is up from 800,000 passengers currently being accommodated by the Tagbilaran Airport.

In an earlier interview with The FREEMAN, Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto said the new airport is a game changer for Bohol’s growth.

“Multiplier effects in the economy are expected with positive impact on increased tourism arrivals, investments in tourism, agriculture, ICT (information and communications technology), light manufacturing, healthcare and education,” he had said.

The 7.8-billion international airport will also further boost Bohol’s connectivity to other destinations in the Philippines and abroad.

“We expect connectivity of Bohol to other provinces of the Philippines, other countries in the Asian region and the world,” Chatto noted.

The new airport is also seen to make Bohol an attractive hub for international gatherings and meetings.

“The new airport will trigger more dynamism in the economic expansion supported strongly by infrastructure and service sectors,” the governor had pointed out. (FREEMAN)