ALAMINOS CITY–The Alaminos Airport Development Project, costing P2.1 billion, finally broke ground on Tuesday in Barangay Sabangan here.

The groundbreaking was spearheaded by Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Assistant Secretary Guillermo Leonardo who represented former DOTC Secretary and now Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza.

Leonardo, in his speech during the event, commended Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza for initiating and conscientiously following up on the project.

The airport, which will initially serve commercial domestic flights, was committed by the national government in 2007 during President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s State of the Nation Address as one of the priority projects in the Northwest Luzon Agri-business Quadrangle (NLAQ).

The first phase of the project, covering facilities for domestic operations, is set for completion within two to three years 2013 with a provision to transform it into an international airport in 2017.

Leonardo assured the continuity of the project even with the change in government leadership this year.

Funding for the project is included in the General Appropriations Act and for this year at least P50 million has been released for land acquisition.

The P50 million is only the first trance of a total of P135.7 million envisioned for runway site acquisition of at least 158.5 hectares of land in Barangays Sabangan, Pandan and Telbang, including access roads to Cabatgan and San Vicente.

AGRI AND TOURISM

Secretary Mendoza, in a message read by Leonardo, said the construction of Alaminos Airport is in line with the President’s vision providing for more infrastructure support to meet the growing needs of agriculture and tourism.

Leonardo said the airport will increase tourist arrivals in the province, particularly in the Hundred Islands National Park located in this city, as well as prompt more business opportunities.

Braganza, for his part, described the Alaminos Airport as a “trigger project” because it is set to spur the development of many industries in the province. 
 
He expects that within five years, new commercial buildings, including hotels and restaurants will rise in the city.

“I congratulate and salute the President of the Republic for continuing the project even if we’re no longer partymates,” said Braganza who left the ruling Lakas-CMD to join the Liberal Party for the coming May 10 elections.

Meanwhile, Engr. Roel Anoñuevo, head of the city planning and development office of Alaminos, said the Alaminos Airport will complement the Sual International Seaport that also recently broke ground in adjacent Sual town.

Anoñuevo said the airport could also lead to the realization of the envisioned Tri-City Ferry System Project covering the cities of Alaminos, Dagupan, and San Fernando in La Union.—LM

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments