The ongoing upgrade of the Siquijor Airport is seen to boost tourism in the province once travel to the neighboring island is allowed, an official of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) said on Saturday.

In a press statement, OPAV Undersecretary Anthony Gerard Gonzales, representing Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino, conducted an ocular visit to the airport on Thursday.

Siquijor Governor Zaldy Villa and Rep. Jake Vincent Villa, both present during the visit, thanked the administration for extending PHP68 million for the terminal and PHP500 million for the runway.

The airport’s terminal building and car park were completed in October last year as part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s “Build, Build, Build” program.

The Department of Public Works and Highways 7 (Central Visayas) spearheaded the construction of the terminal and upgrading of the runway.

The national government also provided additional funding of PHP450 million to extend the runway and PHP350 million for its expansion to accommodate bigger planes and commercial flights bringing in the tourists.

The bidding process for the runway extension project will start next month.

The governor and congressman have expressed optimism that more tourists would flock to the province once the new airport starts operating.

Governor Villa also disclosed that they have drawn up a master or urban plan for the province.

Siquijor will receive PHP1 million for the master plan from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority through direct coordination with its Board Member Mark Lapid.

The Siquijor Airport project is made possible with the support of President Duterte and then-Special Assistant to the President, now Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go. (PNA)