THE construction of the Alaminos Airport is no longer considered a priority of the national government.

This was confirmed by National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Director Nestor Rillon who said the project was initially discontinued after the Department of Transportation and communication (DOTC) noted that no airline was willing to fly the route Manila-Alaminos-Manila for fear they can not make break-even in their costs.

Rillon said the airline companies were not confident that the tourist traffic to Hundred Islands will not sustain daily flights to-and-fro Alaminos City. Consequently, DOTC is constructing airports in other areas where tourist traffic is greater than in Alaminos and therefore, more profitable for airlines.

Nonetheless, Rillon said the Regional Development Council, where he is vice-chairman, is still considering adopting a resolution asking DOTC to reconsider its decision to phase out the Alaminos Airport.

Land acquisition for the proposed runway was completed three years ago during the last and final term of then Alaminos Mayor Hernani Braganza using the initial fund released by DOTC.

At that same time, the Department of Pubic Works and Highways began constructing and completed some of the airport’s access roads.

Rillon said that the completed airport roads will not be wasted because these can be used by farmers to transport their produce to the city market. The proposed airport was set to be constructed on a rice field.

Meanwhile, Senator Grace Poe who spoke before members of the Dagupan and Urdaneta cities’ Chambers of Commerce last August 26, still proposes the construction not only of a domestic airport but an international airport in Pangasinan but to be located in Sta. Barbara town. (Leonardo Micua)

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