New Bohol Panglao Airport To Be Completed by Late 2017

Construction continues at the Bohol Panglao Airport, which began in June. The P7-Billion project will replace the Tagbilaran Airport, when it is completed within 30 months. The new airport is scheduled to open in late 2017 or early 2018.

panglao airport
Image Source: DOTC
Earlier this year, the Department of Transportation and Communications declared Mitsubishi Corporation and Chiyoda Corporation as the winning bidders of the project. According to the DOTC, tourism continues to grow on an annual basis in Bohol. Given the capacity limitations of the existing airport, it was necessary to construct a new facility that could handle the increasing number of tourists. In addition, Bohol has been in need of a modern airport, designed to international standards that can meet the needs of the travelling public.

The Tagbilaran Airport is currently the eleventh busiest airport in the Philippines, having served 789,800 passengers in 2013 with its limited space of just 850 square meters. The new Bohol Panglao Airport will feature a floor area of approximately 8,800 square metres with an annual passenger capacity of 1.7 million passengers.

The new airport will incorporate the latest environmentally friendly and energy saving features that will complement Bohol's reputation as an eco-tourism destination. In addition, the pre-departure area will be the only section of the airport that is air-conditioned and powered by solar energy, while the remaining areas will be open-air. The airport construction will also include a 2,000 meter runway, built to international standards. 

Funding for the airport will be primarily covered by an Official Development Assistance Loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Loans are only granted if Japanese companies are permitted to bid. The loan from the Japanese government is estimated at P4.6 billion, while the additional P2.6 billion will be covered by the Philippine government. 

Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation and Communications continues to work on modernization and expansion projects at other airports in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. Last March, a new wing at Kalibo International Airport opened in time for the busy summer season, enabling the airport to handle an additional 800 passengers. A new departure area with ten check-in counters was also opened.

In Mindanao, the installation of night landing equipment was also finally completed in March at Laguindingan Airport in Cagayan de Oro. Budget carrier Cebu Pacific now operates night flights from Cagayan de Oro to Cebu, Davao, and Manila. "It is vital to develop and modernize our airports not only to better service our passengers, but to also enable economic growth for our people," said Joseph Abaya, Transportation Secretary.

As for the old Tagbilaran Airport, the Department of Transportation will coordinate with the province of Bohol to evaluate possibilities for the old airport once it is closed. Abaya noted that the old airport could be put to commercial use or used to house information technology and business process outsourcing operations.

8 comments:

  1. awesome baby...Bohol here I come!

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  2. Yes mg plane nko pa bohol hahaha

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  3. A good thing for Panglao - Bohol:
    http://www.bohol-guide.com/magazine/about-bohol/airport-panglao/

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  4. I am coming my beloved bohol to see that soon.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Jawhhhh Humbahhhh........

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    Replies
    1. Humbahhhhh Jawahhhh SANO.....bwahahahahaha

      Delete

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