Marcos leads groundbreaking of Caticlan Passenger Terminal Building

Marcos Jr. leads the groundbreaking of the Caticlan Passenger Terminal Building. Photo from Department of Transportation - Philippines/Facebook

BORACAY — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday led the groundbreaking of the Caticlan Passenger Terminal Building, which is seen to improve travel and tourism in the area, especially in the island of Boracay.

Once completed by 2027, the two-storey Passenger Terminal Building will have a total floor area of 36,470 square meters, six passenger boarding bridges, and 36 individual check-in counters. 

It is projected to handle seven million passengers per year, with a simultaneous capacity of 3,000 passengers at any given time, according to Malacanang.

DOTr: Marcos to soon sign bill on right-of-way sites

In his speech during the ceremony held at the Caticlan Airport, the President said that the project is part of the government’s efforts to open up the country’s business and tourist areas like Boracay to international travelers without having to go through the Manila airport.

“Although Manila Airport is improving… it would be much easier for our tourists or for any travelers na doon na sila tumungo kagaya dito, nandito na lahat, diretso na sila dito sa Caticlan. And from here, they can go to Boracay, they can go around and see all of the tourist destination. Marami ritong tourist destination. We can see all of the tourist destinations around the province and in the neighboring areas,” the President said.

Marcos noted that the construction of the new terminal building will not only benefit the province of Aklan, but the entire Western Visayas region as well.

“The influx of people, of travelers, is going to be a big boost to the local economy and, I might add, the national economy,” he said.

The Philippine leader cited ongoing government efforts to improve regional airports across the country to improve access and boost the local economy.

“We have been talking about the Iloilo. We have made agreements in Bohol, in Siargao, and there will be others more. Ngayon ay pinag-uusapan pa lang. So, I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag because they are still in discussions,” he said.

“Hindi lang tourist pero ‘yung mga lugar na gusto nating i-develop na sa ngayon ay maliit ang airport, hindi mapuntahan, o mahirap puntahan ay ‘pag nabuksan ang mga airport diyan, talagang makikita natin maraming magiging — maraming magbabago,” Marcos continued.

Marcos vows to work on 'digital, infrastructure connectivity' during his term

“So, this is one step in a — in what you have to describe is — is going to be the beginning of one journey, of the journey. And that journey is to bring the Philippines once again to the forefront of the rest of the world. To bring the Philippines once again to the top of mind of the rest of the world that this is a place where people can invest, this is a place where people can come to have a vacation, this is a place where the businessman can come and do business to the benefit of their own interest and, of course, of the country.”

Megawide Construction Corporation (MCC) secured the contract in 2024 to design and build the new Caticlan PTB. The airport is owned and operated by Trans Aire Development Holdings Corp. (TADHC), a subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation (SMC) Infrastructure. 

In his speech, the President directed MCC to complete the project within 24 months.

RELATED VIDEO: