ALAMINOS CITY–Three potential locations for the planned airport here have been inspected by officials of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and all have been found to be suitable.

Mayor Hernani Braganza told local media that the next step is for the DOTC to conduct a feasibility study, which will cost P7.5 million, to determine which of the three would be the best site.

The three options are in areas along the boundaries of Alaminos-Sual, Alaminos-Bani and Alaminos- Mabini.

The feasibility study is targeted for completion within two to three months and Braganza said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has given   him assurance that the funding for the airport construction will be included in the 2008 national budget.

The planned airport will have a 1.8-kilometer runway to accommodate both passenger and big cargo planes.

The construction of an airport in Alaminos, home of the Hundred Islands National Park, was announced by the President in her State of the Nation Address in July.  “Pangasinan has to catch up with other provinces. Technically, we can even become a regional hub in North Luzon because of our potentials the only key here is accessibility,” Braganza said.

TOURIST ARRIVALS

Meanwhile, the HINP has surpassed the 111,086 tourist arrivals in 2006 as of end-August this year, logging in 115,811 visitors in the first eight months of 2007.

Braganza said the completion of the airport is expected to further boost tourism and economic development in the area.

Fees collected at the HINP from January to August this year totaled P5.8 million compared to P3.6 million in the same period last year.

The Philippine Tourism Authority is currently constructing an Olympic-sized swimming pool here.

Next in the project line-up is a gymnasium with a 7,000 seating capacity.

Of   the tourists this year, 112,761 are Asians, 1,213 are Europeans, 1,580 are North Americans, 227 from Oceania, 4  from South America and 26 Africans. #

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