Wednesday, May 20, 2009 [ sunstar.com.ph ]
By George M. De La Cruz
TWO more airports that will cater to domestic flights will become operational in 2013 and 2014, respectively, Negros Occidental Gov. Isidro Zayco said Tuesday.
Zayco said the P757-million domestic airport in Kabankalan City in southern Negros Occidental is presently under “cut and fill” status. He said the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) has pegged P480-million for fencing of the airport’s vicinity, which is 105 hectares.
“Off hand, the DOTC already spent the fund for fencing purposes while the province pegged P30-million for the project,” Zayco said.
The Kabankalan Domestic Airport, which started in 2007, is expected to be operational in 2014 as per the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) in Western Visayas.
Zayco said the Air Transportation Office (ATO) and its consultant already made the design for the airport and was already in place.
Other equipment from the Bacolod old airport had also been transported to Kabankalan as additional tools and facilities for the new airport.
Property acquisition for the relocation site of affected local residents had likewise been acquired. Zayco said the land was acquired as per the Voluntary Offer to Sell (VOS) of private landowners.
Another airport, which is forecasted to be operational in 2013, is in San Carlos City. Airport’s construction started in 2003.
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