Every reality begins with a dream. The dream of having her own international airport in tourism-fabled Bohol, one of the most preferred destinations among our 7,100 islands- was hatched in the mind of former governor Constancio “Nonoy” Torralba in the late 80’s . “Nonoy” knew whereof he spoke. He was Cory Aquino’s first secretary of the DOTC transportation and communication) and his family has true-blue Boholano blood. The airport was to be part of the Panglao Tourism Estate. Two decades and a half later – after five presidents presiding over the nation- the P7.2-billion New Bohol Airport spanning 230 hectares -will finally play host to the first jumbo jet possibly from South Korea ( the nation’s top visitors) to land as an inaugural flight in December 2017. That will be 30 months after as programmed by contractor Chyoda-Mitsubishi joint venture, EEI and the (JAC) Japanese Airport Consultants -funded by JICA credit facilities- to be completed. Many Boholanos were moist-eyed in profuse gratitude to president Noynoy Aquino during his last recent visit for it was under his administration that the “dream airport” was contracted for and funded into a business reality. He was asked to come “home” and visit Bohol again that time- by then a private citizen and hopefully with a missus – in his arms for the bachelor president. Aquino is enamored with the beauty of Bohol as was former president GMA who, in fairness, laid the “time capsule” for the same airport in her term. GMA is a diving enthusiast while Aquino would relish hearing his favorite jazz music from his own music gadgets along the Panglao shores- a certified audiophile and music lover that Aquino is. New adjustments to the proposed airport has been in the works. Instead of a single storey terminal structure, it is now a two-storey affair connected to a passenger board bridge so tourists can be inside the plane without being exposed to the elements. It is also environmentally friendly with equal ventilation from nature and air-conditioning powered by solar panels. Most flights will be late in the evening for foreign tourists like Koreans, Japanese and Chinese. Domestic flights now serviced by a postage -stamp-sized Tagbilaran city airport will all be transferred to the new airport as well. Bohol will no longer depend on the tourist spillover from Cebu with the direct flights to this airport that can accommodate Airbus 330 (wingspan of 60 meters) and BOEING 777 (wingspan of 61 meters). Bohol is known to be a fabulous island of great biodiversity. It has sandy white beaches, the iconic chocolate hills, man-made forests, serene rivers and culturally rich towns each blessed with centuries-old churches. It beats Boracay which has only her beaches and the night parties to offer. Newly -reelected governor Edgar Chatto and reelected congressmen Rene Relampagos, Aris Aumentado and Arthur Yap look forward to the realization of this adjunct to growth of tourism, the flagship industry of Bohol. Tourism, after all, is big business. It accounts for 8% of the country’s GDP- moving to 12-14% in 2019-2022. It generates about US$6-B in direct tour expenses but balloons to US$20-B to include indirect economic benefits to mall sales, entertainment , food and medical tourism -making it the third largest dollar earner for the nation- next to OFWs and BPOs. Bohol will capitalize on the new strength shown by tourism. While most months in 2015 showed monthly tourists score at 450,000 to 480,000 – this year from January to March, it has been at 500,000 to 5550,00 per month. The record month was last February (despite its fewer calendar days), where tourists here reached 540.000 people with an average stay of 10 days and about R5,000 daily tourist expenditure. With this burgeoning tourist numbers, the new Bohol international airport would be just “what the doctor ordered” as Bohol asserts her ranking in the country’s best tour destinations. (Bingo Dejaresco, former banker, is a financial consultant, media practitioner and political strategist. A lifetime Finex member, his views here are personal and do not necessarily reflect those of Finex. Dejarescobingo@yahoo.com). Read more at http://www.mb.com.ph/panglao-international-airport-up-dec-2017/#twXA5OAsx6MuyC9j.99
New Panglao needs runway extension. At the rate the construction is going, both the contractor and consultant groups are optimistic to finish the airport in December of 2017 and have it likely used even beginning January of the following year, Gov. Edgar Chatto said. Officials and technical people of the contractor, Chiyoda-Mitsubishi Joint Venture (CMJV) and EEI, and Japanese Airport Consultants (JAC) updated the progress of the project in a meeting presided by Chatto at the Governor’s Mansion on Wednesday. It was the first regular assessment conference on the New Bohol Airport Construction and Sustainable Environment Protection Project (NBACSEPP) called by the governor since his third and final term reelection resulting from the May 9 polls. After the meeting, Chatto also led in inspecting the project site in Panglao where they travelled on the two-kilometer runway from end to end. The entire width and length of the runway, which is to be ultimately stretched by additional half kilometer, is now compacted and well paved while awaiting its solid concrete finish. They also inspected the areas for vertical developments, which include the airport terminal itself, where post guides are now laid and the project management, engineering and construction facilities and equipment. Reelected Rep. Rene Relampagos of the First District dismissed doubts that the essential project may be negatively affected with the change in the national administration. “I don’t think the airport project will be affected,” the solon was firm, and “we lobby as strong as we can for greater Bohol goods.” Both Chatto and Relampagos said the project has been governed by the bilateral agreement between the Philippine and Japanese governments. http://boholchronicle.com.ph/2016/05/22/new-panglao-needs-runway-extension/
I am both excited and scared that it will finally happen. Hopefully the enormous flow of tourists that the airport will cause won't pave way to Panglao being the next Boracay. I hope they still get to preserve my happy place.
Loads of Chinese and Koreans visiting here now..Far more than before.. I reckon when the airport and the direct flights to China and Korea/Panglao starts they will basically take over the tourist spots.. Two very large Chinese hotel chains here now..Henann and Bellevue...Huge investments and both have large expansion plans. Below:Henann. Below: Bellevue.
I haven't seen Bellevue yet although I've been to the resort next to it, Ananyana I think is the name. I have seen Hennan and it is massive! I remember Alona to be a lot quieter than it is now and used to stay at Ooops Bar as I am friends with the owners Uly and Martin. Do you know them or have you met them? Martin is Brit. Now Alona is turning into a concrete jungle, not good. You have dive shops left and right, restaurants, bars, and shops.
Not sure if you know this but Uly sadly died a couple of years back and I think Martin moved back to the U.K.. R.I.P Uly.
Yes, I was with him the night he died. He never said anything about not feeling well and opted to go home instead of the hospital. I think Martin is in Cebu again or stayed in Cebu for a time after. He gave me one of the jengas folks use at the bar as he knows it is my fave game. I miss their place. I feel like Alona isn't the same anymore since Uly died.
Oops! Brownout strikes as Duterte visits new Bohol airport Duterte had just announced that he had fired two officials from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process when lights at the P8.91-billion airport suddenly went out. Members of the Presidential Security Group scrambled to secure the President in the middle of the dark. One man was heard as suggesting to Duterte to go to the holding room while the power issue was being fixed. “Dito lang ako (I’ll just stay here),” Duterte said. The President then inquired about the airport’s backup power system. The brownout lasted for just about two minutes. After the power went back, Duterte resumed his speech and acknowledged the presence of the members of his Cabinet. Touted as a "green gateway," Bohol's new airport boasts of an eco-friendly design, including the use of solar panels enough to supply 30 percent of the terminal's power needs.
Tagbilaran airport closed as of today.. Hopefully the new 10 Billion PHP airport in Panglao can manage to keep it`s landing lights on.
Maybe big changes coming re tourist numbers , new construction projects and property prices . Positives and negatives I guess .
