“THE wait is over” the Department of Transportation through Secretary Art Tugade announced this June 14, 2021 the completion of the Light Railway Transit 2 Extension from Santolan in Marikina all the way to Antipolo in Rizal this year.
Tugade’s announcement was made at the LTO Region 3 RULS (Road Users Life Savers) a road safety advocacy program of LTO region 3, road safety is a shared responsibility held at the City of San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan.
As the completion of the common station in North EDSA is eminent, the DOTr Secretary’s announcement is timely sine commuters of LRT 2 anticipates the opening of the extension to Rizal.
Currently the LRT 2 has 11 stations namely (Recto, Legarda, Pureza, V. Mapa, Gilmore, J. Ruiz, Betty Go Belonte, Araneta Center Cubao, Anonas, Katipunan and Santolan) and according to the DOTr stations will be added from Pasig all the way to Antipolo.
While the LTO’s road user advocacy seminar is geared toward the Public Utility Jeepney’s and Busses, most of the attendees of the said activity are from the Tricycle Operators and drivers Associations (TODA) of the City of san Jose Del Monte.
Present in the activity aside from DOTR Secretary Art Tugade is LTO Chief Edgar Galvante, CSJDM Mayor Arthur Robes and CSJDM Lone District Representative Rida Robes). (Mj Olvina-Balaguer, 09053611068, maryjaneolvina@gmail.com, konekted@dzmjonline.net, Makabuluhang Jornalismo Your Happiness Channel)
-30-
04 June 2021
*TUGADE: KALIBO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO GENERATE EMPLOYMENT, TOURISM IN AKLAN*
While comfort, improved mobility, and connectivity are expected as results of various development projects in Aklan, more employment and tourism opportunities will likewise flourish to boost economic activities in the province, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade said during the formal inauguration of the upgraded Kalibo International Airport (KIA) today, 04 June 2021.
Taking cue from President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s marching order to make the lives of Filipinos comfortable and convenient, Sec. Tugade took the order to heart and went on to deliver the promises made since taking office in 2016.
“Una, malakas ang loob ko na tapusin itong airport na ‘to. Pangalawa, kasama ko ‘yung buong Aviation sector, at kasama ang CAAP, kami po ay naniniwala na malaki ang maitutulong nng proyektong ito, hindi lang sa larangan ng turismo, kundi sa paglago ng ekonomiya dito sa lugar ng Kalibo, Aklan,” Tugade stressed during the inauguration of the newly-improved and renovated gateway.
Tugade said that at least 280 workers were employed during the renovation of the Kalibo International Airport, adding that it will further trigger more employment opportunities as the improved airport becomes operational.
“In other words, this airport will serve as a trigger for employment not only at a time when construction was being done and being made, but also at a time when construction will be completed because it will become an employment generator,” Sec. Tugade pointed out.
Tugade also explained that the improved Kalibo International Airport will promote tourism as it will not only serve local tourists but will also welcome international visitors.
“Ang isang karagdagan dito ay ang turismo. Mapapalaganap at mapapalago ang turismo. Pero hindi lang po ‘yan sa kapaligiran ng Aklan, hindi lang ‘ho papuntang Boracay, o sa ibang lugar sa ka-Bisayaan. Ito ‘ho ay magiging international gateway ‘pagkat ang airport na ito ay of international standard,” Sec. Tugade said.
Completed on 15 September 2020 amid the raging COVID-19 pandemic, the airport’s expanded 2,633.40 square-meter International Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) can now accommodate 406 passengers from its previous 344 passenger volume. Prior to the upgrade, the airport grounds covered only 1,584 square meters.
With the airport terminal’s expansion, queuing passengers are provided with a 126-square meter covered section outside the International PTB for weather protection. Ample space for the operation of Customs, Immigration, and Pre-Screening personnel, has been provided to eliminate long passenger queues.
Airline check-in counters have also been extended to 468-square meters from the previous 216-square meters. Similarly, the passenger pre-departure waiting area now covers 608.40-square meters with the 284.40-square meters added space.
Also repaired during the airport’s renovation phase was the over 4,000 square meters of dilapidated pavement, removing unexpected hazards to parking aircraft.
Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Captain Jim Sydiongco added that the airport’s improvements and renovations also resolved issues such as extreme congestion, dilapidation, and lack of efficient facilities.
“Realizing that a long-term solution is needed to develop this aged structure, CAAP, with the staunch direction of DOTr, launched the project to rehabilitate KIA’s grandeur as a premier airport. Overall repair and restoration of KIA have improved and restored KIA’s look and facilities as a whole,” DG Sydiongco said.
Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores and Kalibo Mayor Emerson Lachica thanked Sec. Tugade for his strong resolve in upgrading and renovating the airport, which they said were not done by previous administrations.
“The development of the Kalibo International Airport started in earnest. What you see now is the manifestation of the commitment of Secretary Tugade and the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte to really put Kalibo on the map of the country, as the prime gateway for Boracay and the tourism industry of Aklan,” Gov. Miraflores said.
“One may think at this moment is hard to achieve, but this significant project is one of the trademark services of the Duterte administration,” Mayor Lachica, for his part, said.
###
3 June 2021
*TUGADE TO INAUGURATE UPGRADED KALIBO INT’L AIRPORT; GATEWAY TO BOOST ECONOMY, TOURISM IN AKLAN*
MANILA – Local and foreign tourists will soon find their journeys to Aklan more relaxing as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) open a bigger and more efficient Kalibo International Airport (KIA).
DOTr Sec. Art Tugade, with CAAP Director General Captain Jim Sydiongco, is set to inaugurate on 4 June 2021 the expanded and improved International Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) of the KIA after it was completed on 15 September 2020 amid the pandemic.
The upgraded gateway is expected to rev up the economy of Aklan and its nearby provinces as well as provide tourists with convenient access to the country’s most prized tourism gem – the resort island of Boracay.
Tugade said the airport’s International PTB now has the capacity to handle 406 passengers from the previous 344 passengers volume, while the Domestic PTB has a total of 400 passenger capacity. The bigger PTB can also eliminate long queues of tourists who are expected to visit Boracay with the easing of quarantine and movement restrictions.
With the finished airport upgrades, Secretary. Tugade also fulfilled his promise to generate local employment. At least 236 local construction workers were employed during the expansion works of the KIA’s International PTB.
Prior to the upgrades, the airport’s International PTB covered an area of 1,584 square meters. With the upgrade, the International PTB now has an area of 2,633.40 square meters.
The extension project now also provides queuing passengers with a 126-square meter covered section outside the International PTB for weather protection. The improved facility also provides an additional space for the operation of Customs, Immigration, and Pre-Screening personnel, eliminating the long line of passengers.
The upgrade project also expanded the airport space for airline check-in counters to 468-square meters from the previous 216-square meters. Passengers can now enjoy a spacious 608.40-square meter pre-departure waiting area after it was extended by an additional 284.40-square meters.
Meanwhile, also repaired were over 4,000-square meters of dilapidated pavement of the airport’s apron which removed potential hazards to parking aircraft.
The DOTr and CAAP likewise implemented rehabilitation works for the domestic terminal. The improvements include repainting, as well as floor, tile, and toilet repairs.
The Kalibo International Airport is an integral part of the regional transport infrastructure development under the massive “Build, Build, Build” program of the Duterte administration that aims to boost accessibility, mobility, and connectivity.
###