Marcos Jr. inaugurates Antique airport upgrade

By Mariela Angella Oladive

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday, Jan. 19, led the inauguration of the completed Antique Airport (Evelio B. Javier) Development Project worth PHP 1.576 billion in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique.

The inauguration was highlighted by the unveiling of the project marker, marking the completion of major infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving air connectivity in the province.

The project expanded the passenger terminal building from 181 square meters to 2,224 square meters, increasing seating capacity from 64 to 360 passengers and raising the number of check-in counters to six.

Airside facilities were upgraded with a new ramp capable of accommodating up to four jet aircraft simultaneously and an expanded seven-story control tower to enhance flight operations and safety.

The runway was extended from 1,430 meters to 1,800 meters, enabling the airport to handle jet aircraft and significantly improving access to Antique.

The development also included the installation of modern baggage handling systems, flight information display systems, and upgraded passenger facilities.

In his message, Marcos cited the daily challenges faced by travelers and underscored the government’s efforts to make transportation more efficient and accessible.

“We know the tiredness, difficulty, and inconvenience experienced every day by every traveler, may it be a resident or a tourist, in traveling through our country,” Marcos said.

“Often, time, money, and even patience are being wasted before getting to their destination,” he added.

“That is why we are working hard to build a country where traveling is faster, more comfortable, and lighter for every Filipino,” Marcos said.

Marcos also highlighted Antique’s potential in tourism and agriculture, noting that improved airport facilities would help stimulate economic growth and development in the province.

The airport development was spearheaded by the Department of Transportation and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, with support from Sen. Loren Legarda and coordination with the provincial and local governments of Antique.

Also present during the ceremony were DOTr Acting Secretary Giovani Lopez, CAAP Director General Raul L. Del Rosario, and local officials led by Gov. Paulo Everardo S. Javier and Lone District Rep. Antonio Legarda.