Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas has expressed disappointment over the current state of the Iloilo International Airport in the town of Cabatuan.
In a statement on Wednesday, Nov. 8, Treñas lamented that the airport, which used to be among the best in Asia, is “no longer the same” as it was before.
“The air conditioning units are not working, X-rays not working, escalator not working. Even the toilets are smelly,” the “very disappointed” mayor said.
“Furthermore, the passenger terminal is congested. No plans from CAAP (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines) national at all,” he added.
The mayor has been pushing for the rehabilitation of the airport. Last month, he issued a resolution urging the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to fast-track the repair and improvement of the airport via PPP or public-private partnership.
The improvement, according to Iloilo City Local Development Council Executive Committee’s Resolution No. 03 series of 2023, is needed as the airport’s daily arrivals are way beyond the original design of the facility.
The airport recorded 2,550 passenger arrivals while departures peaked at 2,876 passengers last September, data from CAAP showed.
“The main terminal of the airport is originally designed to accommodate only 400 to 450 passengers daily, the resolution stated.IMT
