ILOILO CITY – A lawmaker in the province of Aklan has filed a bill that would create a separate office which will manage two Aklan airports.
Congressman Teodorico Haresco Jr. of Aklan-2nd District is proposing for a new government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) to manage the two airports that are gateways to world-famous Boracay Island.
In House Bill No. 1522, Haresco wants to create the Aklan Airport Authority (AAA).
The AAA aims for ‘the effective, efficient and economical control, management and supervision’ of Kalibo International Airport in the provincial capital town of Kalibo and Boracay Airport in Malay town.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), an attached agency of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), currently manages the Kalibo Airport. The Aklan airport currently caters to both international and domestic flights.
The Boracay Airport, also known as Godofredo P. Ramos Airport in Malay, is currently managed by Trans Aire Development Holdings Corp., a subsidiary of San Miguel Corp. The airport caters to domestic flights only.
Under the bill, the AAA can implement policies and programs that will be at par with international standards as the airports mainly serve tourists going to and from the country’s most popular beach destination.
Under Haresco’s proposal, the AAA will have similar functions with the Manila International Airports Authority, the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority, and the Clark International Airport Corporation. The AAA will also be under the DOTr.
Haresco’s proposal is seen as a timely move since tourism is going back to normal again and Boracay recently surpassed one million tourists for the year so far.
Time magazine also included Boracay as one of the world’s greatest places.