Capitol to purchase private lot for Camotes airport’s expansion

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu provincial government plans to acquire a bank-owned lot situated near the Camotes Island Airport, in its bid to expand the facility in the island.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has met the president of Rural Bank of Catmon (RBC) Armida Caguitla and discussed the Capitol’s interest to acquire the lot, which is just beside the airport’s runway in the town of San Francisco.

The Capitol owns the 27-hectare lot where the airport is nestled.

During the meeting last Tuesday, Caguitla welcomed Garcia’s plan, supporting it “for the good of the Province.”

“Malipay mi kon ang province maoy maka-acquire,” Caguitla in a report by Sugbo News, the Capitol’s news arm. The report though did not mention the land area of the lot.

The airport, which is now under development, has already secured P265 million for its development.

Currently, the airport lacks terminal buildings and other facilities.

Senator Robin Padilla has also pledged to extend financial support for the said facility.

The Capitol plans to expand it in order to accommodate more small and private planes with 70-80 capacity that will cater to tourists and other passengers going to and from Camotes Island.

Once completed, it is expected to cut the travel time from the mainland Cebu to the island and would eventually boost the tourism industry and the economic activities in the four towns.

Camotes island has become one of the prime tourist destinations in Cebu Province because of its white sand beach, caves and resorts. —/GAN (FREEMAN)