By Junex Doronio
CEBU CITY — Frustrated by the apparent inaction of the national government, Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia has decided to purchase the land near the airport on Bantayan Island to extend the runway and accommodate commercial flights.
On Friday, Capitol insiders told Maharlika NuMedia that the governor was optimistic that commercial aircraft from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) may be able to land at the Bantayan airport once the project is completed.
“We cannot wait for the National Government to fund us, and I want this to be happening already because Bantayan is ripe for tourist arrivals. It’s so difficult to get there for hours,” Garcia said in exasperation during a December 6, 2023 meeting with the officials of the different airline companies.
It was learned that the island’s airport currently has a 1.2-kilometer runway but some experts have advised that to handle commercial flights, this must be extended to 1.5 or 1.8 kilometers.
Bantayan Airport currently serves chartered flights.
Garcia also ordered the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) to assess the areas surrounding the airport that they plan to purchase for the runway expansion project.
Several Garcia supporters were egging her to run for senator in 2025 and, ultimately, vice president in 2028.
(ai/mnm)
