President Aquino, aiming to fast-track government efforts to spur economic activity in the countryside, on Monday personally checked on progress of ongoing projects seen to boost the tourism industry and business sector in Palawan and Cebu.
Accompanied by aides and local officials hosting his visit, Mr. Aquino’s delegation inspected and got updates on the progress of work at the Korean-funded Puerto Princesa Airport Development Project and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) Terminal 2 project. “Improvements such as these help to stimulate our economy and boost our country’s reputation as a tourist and business destination,” Palace Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.
Lacierda recalled that, just last week, the European Commission also removed all Philippine-certified airlines from the European Union (EU) Air Safety List, “thus granting them the authorization to operate in EU airspace.”
“This is a boon for the tourism industry, and the economy, too, as we can now expect more flights and exchanges to occur between our country and the EU,” he said. “Moving forward, the Aquino administration aims to reap greater achievements for the Philippines and bring about even more benefits for the people,” he added. According to Lacierda, the Puerto Princesa Airport project and the MCIA Terminal 2 project “form part of this effort.”
The Palace official added that Mr. Aquino flew to Palawan to see for himself the progress of the Puerto Princesa Airport Development Project, which is slated for completion by January 2017.
The airport project, he said, was designed to accommodate the projected rise in the number of travelers to and from Palawan, adding that it is expected to increase airport passenger capacity from 350,000 to 2 million each year.
From Palawan, President Aquino proceeded to Cebu to lead the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Passenger Terminal Building of the MCIA.
“Just as in Palawan, the number of travelers to and from Cebu has also been rising in recent years,” Lacierda reported.
The Mactan terminal project, he added, is targeted to increase the airport’s annual passenger capacity from 4.5 million to 15 million, and is projected for completion in June 2019. Apart from the construction of a new terminal, the project also involves the renovation of the existing Passenger Terminal Building, he said.