GMA opens Antique airport

SAN JOSE, Antique — After decades of seclusion, the newly renovated San Jose Airport will be opened today with President Arroyo as guest of honor.

On Feb. 11, 2002, Arroyo, who attended the death anniversary of the late Gov. Evelio Javier surprised Antiqueños when she announced that she was giving P40 million from her social fund for the improvement of the airport, and that the facility would be renamed in memory of the martyred Javier.

This will now give way to the development of the province since all investors, tourists and residents who came from other places will no longer pass through the Iloilo airport but land directly at the San Jose Airport.

However, domestic airlines will have to study the number of passengers who will be going to Antique from Manila and other places.

Iloilo airport, in the island of Panay, has the most number of flights from three domestic airlines compared to the airport of Capiz and Aklan that have only one to two flights everyday.

Perez said the realization of the airport should not be a bone of contention among politicians here as the project belongs to the people of Antique as a gift from President Arroyo. The ATO officials hinted that the airport need not wait for June to be inaugurated but rather to open it now in time for the Binirayan Festival as it is already operational. — Leo Solinap