Aquino inaugurates improved Caticlan airport terminal

MALAY, Aklan, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino on Saturday led the inauguration of the first phase of the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport project in Barangay Caticlan, gateway to the island-resort of Boracay.

Aquino, who arrived here past 9 a.m., inaugurated the improved terminal buildings, part of the first of the three phases of the project.

The seven-year construction project of San Miguel Corp.-owned TransAire Development Holdings Corp. is expected to be completed in 2017. The airport is being constructed on a 25-year build-operate-transfer scheme renewable for another 25 years.

According to Ramon Ang, president and chief executive officer of San Miguel Corp., the whole airport project will cost around $300 million.

After the inauguration, Aquino and his party boarded the presidential chopper to Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort and Spa where he was to have lunch.

The President was expected to fly back to Manila to inspect the areas affected by Tropical Storm Falcon (Meari).