Benhur mulls flying schools transfer to Bantayan Island

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Fourth District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon is eyeing for the relocation of some flying schools in Mactan to Bantayan Island as soon as the airport project in the area is completed and operational.

Salimbangon said the Mactan Cebu International Airport is already considered high risk for flying schools. He explained that the current airport is already very full.

He added that the MCIAA accommodates huge aircraft while flying schools are using small planes such as Cessna 152, Cessna 172 and a twin-engine aircraft Seneca and the likes.

According to him, He had already talked with some of the government agencies concerned about his plan to relocate these flying schools from MCIA.

 The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) set the standards in putting up these facilities.

Flying schools must be equipped with pilot lounge, library, classroom, simulator area and an office for business transactions.

Salimbangon said that the transfer of flying schools to Bantayan Island will boost the tourism in the area because students need boarding houses and hotels for billeting requirements.

With his thrust to make the entire fourth district a prime tourist destination outside Metro Cebu, Salimbangon thanked Garcia for her enthusiasm to develop the airport in the Santa Fe town.

Salimbangon was with Garcia, Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, Provincial Board Members Sun Shimura, Joven Mondigo, Jr. and Jose Ribomapil Holganza, Jr. in meeting the lot owners in the area where the airport is to be developed.

During the meeting, Salimbangon urged the lot owners to be open-hearted and sincere to help for the good of Bantayan Island.

The Province of Cebu is set to bid out the development of the airport on March this year.

The airport was started during the time of then governor Emilio “Lito” Osmeña in 1989.

The province purchased lots but when inspected by engineers, the area is not suitable for airstrip prompting to purchase the nearby lots. — (FREEMAN)