Panglao airport unveiled today

CEBU, Philippines —  With today’s unveiling of the new Panglao International Airport, visitor traffic and economic activity are expected to perk up in Bohol, one of the country’s prime tourist destinations.

President Duterte is expected to lead today the inauguration of what's being dubbed as the country’s first eco-airport.

The airport's commercial operations will officially take off tomorrow, according to a statement issued by the Department of Transportation.

“Kaya ng Bohol-Panglao International Airport na mag-accommodate ng hanggang dalawang milyong pasahero kada taon, higit doble sa kapasidad ng Tagbilaran Airport na 800,000 passengers kada taon,” read part of the statement.

The DOTr said the terminal's public concourse area in the entrance has access to public toilets, car rental, bank, airline ticketing office, car park, and passenger terminal curb.

The terminal building's roofs are equipped with solar panels which are expected to supply 30 percent of the facility's energy needs.

“Maaari ring magamit muli ang waste water mula sa airport o ibalik ito sa kalikasan dahil pasado sa mga pandaigdigang pamantayan ang solid waste disposal system and waterworks system ng paliparan,” the statement said.

Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto earlier said the new airport is a game-changer for the province.

“It will enhance Bohol's attractiveness both in tourism and investments, thus creating more jobs and economic opportunities for our people,” he told The FREEMAN. “It will have very positive contribution to multi-sectoral growth and development not only for Bohol but for the region and country as well.”

Aviation think tank CAPA Centre for Aviation has noted Panglao Airport is poised to boost tourist traffic in the province.

It expects the new air hub “to generate a significant increase in visitor numbers to Panglao as the island becomes more accessible, particularly for international tourists.”

“Panglao attracts over 600,000 annual visitors, but only approximately one third of the visitors are foreigners,” CAPA said in its latest analysis.

Panglao is a short drive from the existing Tagbilaran Airport, which will be closed and redeveloped as the new airport opens.

The new airport in Panglao will have initial capacity of three million passengers per year.

"The airport is being built on a 230-hectare site with a 13,000 square meter terminal capable of handling seven aircraft and a 2,500-meter night rated runway. There are already plans to extend the runway to 2,800 meters after the airport opens,” CAPA said.

CAPA also expects to handle approximately two million passengers within the first couple of years, which would make it one of the 10 largest airports in the Philippines.

Bohol attracted 1.1 million visitors in 2017, with more than half of them staying in Panglao.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency is funding a supplemental 4.376 billion yen (P2.09 billion) loan for the expansion of the Panglao Airport. The loan will cover the second phase of the project, including expansion of the airport's runway and passenger terminal building.

JICA shelled out P5.18 billion for the first phase of the project.

Earlier, the Aboitiz Group announced that its subsidiary, Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., was granted the Original Proponent Status (OPS) by the DOTr for the operations and maintenance of the new airport.

The OPS includes the operations and maintenance, future developments and expansion of the new airport.

“We believe our proposal provides an expedient and comprehensive solution for the immediate and long-term needs of the New Bohol International Airport. We also remain committed and ready to support the government in its initiative to develop and enhance other regional airports throughout the country,” said AIC president and CEO Sabin Aboitiz. (FREEMAN)