• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The new and modernized Dumaguete Airport will address regional connectivity and air traffic in Negros Oriental, Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said Aug. 8.
“This new and expanded airport will address the increasing number of air traffic to and from Dumaguete City,” Bautista added as the Department of Finance and the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) signed Aug. 7 the financing agreement for the new Dumaguete Airport Development Project, worth about P13.15 billion.
“We are able to identify the needed funding source for the transfer and construction of a bigger Dumaguete Airport to a new location,” Bautista said during the signing ceremony, adding that with KEXIM’s loan assistance, the new airport will see a brand-new runway, taxiway, passenger and cargo terminal buildings, control tower, and various aeronautical facilities.
The new regional airport will also increase the passenger capacity of the old airport, from 800,000 to two million passengers annually, the DOTr said in a statement.
The project cost is about P17.06 billion, with P13.15 billion supported by KEXIM. It covers 197.55 hectares of land development in the municipality of Bacong, Negros Oriental, and the new airport facility will comply with domestic and international standards for operational safety and efficiency, the DOF had said.
Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said in a statement that “from serving limited domestic flights, we can now open the door to international routes.”
Recto said the project is envisioned to enhance the tourism and trade potential, economic activities, and standard of living in Negros Oriental. “The necessity for a bigger and more modern airport is undeniable, especially considering that Negros Oriental currently has only one major airport.”
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in his last visit to Dumaguete City June 27, assured Negrenses of the government’s continuing thrust to build key infrastructure projects in the province.
Marcos said that among the major projects is the new Dumaguete airport that is expected to boost local tourism, trade, and economy.
The financing for the airport project has interest rates of 0.05 percent per year for non-consulting services, to be repaid in 40 years, inclusive of a 10-year grace period, the DOF said. | CGC
