P’sinan execs push Alaminos airport

ALAMINOS, Pangasinan -- The highest policy-making body in Region 1 urged the immediate construction of an airport in this tourist town to boost economy in northern Luzon. Regional Development Council vice chairman Leonardo Quintos Jr. in a letter to aviation officials, sought to put the project in motion as soon as possible.

The RDC is the primary institution that coordinates and sets the direction of all economic and social development efforts in the region. It serves as the counterpart of the National Economic and Development Authority at the sub-national level translated into and integrated with national development activities.

“Whereas, the City of Alaminos is undeniably the trade, commercial and educational center in Western Pangasinan, and home to the world famous Hundred Islands National Part, one of Region 1’s major tourist attractions,” the resolution read. Moreover, a surge in the arrival of local and foreign tourists was officially reported, RDC members who signed the resolution said. They attributed the increase in the number of guests to the continued development of tourism facilities and amenities off the Hundred Islands.

“A greater number of tourists is projected to visit the city and the surrounding tourist sites if only travel to Western Pangasinan is shortened to less than an hour relative to the other major tourist attractions in northern Philippines, like Metro Manila which is currently about five to seven hours away, Baguio City, about three to four hours away; San Fernando City, the regional center which is two to three hours away, and Vigan City, where the Vigan Heritage Village is located, three to four hours away,” the resolution stated.

Asian Spirit, represented by EVP Joaquin Ernesto Po, is offering its turbopop aircraft to Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza once the airport is built. “As this is now the trend in tourism, we hope that the proposed Alaminos airport will be able to accommodate our jet aircraft and enable us to fly in tourist from Korea to Taiwan direct to the home of the world-famous Hundred Islands. Asian Spirit looks forward to a mutually beneficial and fruitful relationship in the near future,” he said. -- MP