San jose de buenavista: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday highlighted the Antique Airport Development Project as a benchmark for cost-efficient and well-executed public infrastructure. He emphasized that proper use of public funds can deliver high-impact results.
According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos expressed surprise at the project's relatively low cost despite extensive upgrades. He noted that the total cost for all improvements and construction was PHP120 million, mentioning that the control tower alone cost PHP42 million. This statement came as he led the inauguration of the newly rehabilitated Antique airport in San Jose de Buenavista town.
Significant upgrades to the airport include a new Passenger Terminal Building expanded from 181 square meters to 2,224 square meters, increasing seating capacity from 64 to 360 passengers. The number of check-in counters increased from two to six. Additionally, the airport features a newly developed ramp that can accommodate up to four jet aircraft simultaneously, an expanded seven-story control tower, modern baggage handling and flight information systems, and a runway extension from 1,430 meters to 1,800 meters, now allowing jet aircraft operations.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines explained that while the new terminal building cost around PHP120 million, the entire development project, which spans from 2017 to 2023, costs around PHP1.5 billion. The President emphasized that the project demonstrates what can be achieved when government funds are allocated and spent properly.
Marcos urged officials to use the Antique airport project as a standard for future public works, particularly in light of public concerns over corruption, substandard construction, and overpricing in infrastructure projects. He stressed the importance of quality implementation to ensure that projects immediately benefit the public.
The President also mentioned that the Antique airport upgrade is part of a broader modernization effort, including major improvements at Iloilo International Airport and Roxas Airport, aimed at bolstering tourism, trade, and growth in Western Visayas.
