PNoy graces Groundbreaking Ceremony of Roxas Airport

President Aquino led the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Roxas City Airport Development project, involving the expansion and improvement of the passenger terminal building and extension of the runway.

The expansion of the terminal is expected to accommodate 291, 000 passengers every year, up from its current annual capacity of 153, 000 passengers, which has already been exceeded as 217, 552 passengers used the aiport in 2012.

The runway will be lengthened by an additional 120 meters, improving the safety of the Airbus A320 aircraft operating in the airport.

Both projects have an approved budget of P48.1 million and the project was awarded to MAC Builders.

The projects are part of the P215-million upgrade alloted for the Roxas Airport which also includes the installation of night landing facilities, runway asphalt overlay, acquisition of new fire trucks, and acquisition of lot including resettlement of informal settlers.

President Aquino said the project is an “investment” serving as one of the administration’s efforts to boost tourism and economic development in the said area and its neighboring towns.

Aquino also lauded CAAP for improving safety standards that lifted the “significant safety concerns” warning on Philippine aviation.

The DOTC said this project aims to shore up the government’s goal to have at least 10 million tourists before President Aquino steps down in 2016, in recognition of Roxas City as the country’s ‘seafood capital’ where an increasing number of local and foreign tourists are expected to visit.

Sources: usnewslasvegas.com, abs-cbnnews.com