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).