Puerto Princesa’s ambition to soar higher took a significant step forward as Mayor Lucilo Bayron and his team of city officials embarked on a mission to secure funding for the grand expansion of Puerto Princesa International Airport. With dreams of a new terminal and an extended runway capable of welcoming larger commercial aircraft, the city set its sights on a soft loan from the Korean Exim Bank.
The journey began with Mayor Bayron and his entourage, including the city planner, city architect, and city engineer, making a formal visit to the Korean Exim Bank. Their proposal? A tantalizing 40-year loan with an almost negligible interest rate of 0.05 percent. “Galing yung grupo natin sa Korean Exim Bank kasama yung city planning, city architect, city engineer, at nagpresenta tayo ng long term loan, 40 years, pagkatapos, 0.05 percent interest,” Bayron announced during Monday’s flag-raising ceremony at the city hall.
However, the path to securing the funds was not as straightforward as anticipated. The bank, it turns out, does not grant loans directly to local government units (LGUs). Instead, they advised the Puerto Princesa team to engage with a national government agency, specifically the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTr). “Yun nga lang, hindi pala sila nagga-grant ng loan sa mga LGU, sa mga national government agencies lang. Kaya tinuruan tayo na dumaan sa DoTR dahil ang hinihingi natin ay expansion ng ating international airport sa Puerto Princesa, construction ng bagong terminal, at saka extension ng ating runway para makatanggap tayo ng mas malaking eroplano,” Bayron explained.
Determined not to let this hurdle derail their plans, Mayor Bayron swiftly reached out to the DOTr. He had a promising conversation with former Philippine Coast Guard commandant Admiral George Ursabia, who assured him that a meeting with Undersecretary TJ Batan would be arranged. The plot thickened when it was revealed that the Villar group was also interested in the airport expansion and management.
“Sabi ko wala pang nakipag-usap sa amin na Villar group para malaman nila kung anong plano ng LGU para ma-incorporate nila sa kanilang plano,” Bayron remarked. He emphasized the need for coordination between the LGU’s plans and those of the Villar group. Moreover, the DOTr promised to draft a letter requesting the Korean Exim Bank to conduct a feasibility study for the project.
In this whirlwind of proposals, meetings, and strategic planning, Puerto Princesa’s vision for its airport expansion is gaining momentum. With the right funding and collaboration, the city’s international airport is poised to become a hub for larger aircraft, ushering in a new era of connectivity and growth for Puerto Princesa. Stay tuned as this high-flying project continues to unfold!
