Proximity to key cities in North Luzon Agri-business Quadrangle, a new city development master plan, center of Western Pangasinan, presence of major infrastructure support in the district and having a national treasure made it for Alaminos

The next big thing for the home of the world-famous Hundred Islands National Park here is ready to take-off.

No less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo made mention of the multi-million Alaminos Airport Development Project in her State of the Nation Address last Monday which will definitely transcend tourism and economic development.

The said airport project is Pangasinan’s gain, Mayor Hernani A. Braganza said in gist at the start of the press conference held yesterday at Pension House, Lucap Wharf here.

“This (dream) is 12 years in the making. And this will be soon become a reality not just for the city of Alaminos but for the first district and the province as a whole,” said the Mayor.

Braganza said the project was envisioned almost on the same year when the Alaminos dreamed of becoming a component city.

The project study started during the time of former President Fidel V. Ramos and during the Mayor’s initial stint in Congress.

 The city will be using the same technical study for the airport made by Air Transportation Office (ATO) in the past.

Braganza then extended his sincerest appreciation and gratitude in behalf of the 80, 000 Alaminians grateful to President Gloria M. Arroyo for approving the city’s request to establish a commercial airport in Alaminos.

The Mayor also thanked Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., who was just installed as the head of the Lower House for the fifth unprecedented time, for supporting this landmark initiative.

Braganza highlighted the potentials of Alaminos being the center of western Pangasinan, its huge investment potentials and its proximity to the growth nodes in the North Luzon Super Region.

The city is also considered as the tourism capital of the province because of the presence of the Hundred Islands National Park.

Strategically, Alaminos is one of the major areas in the North Luzon Agri-Business Quadrangle which had been unveiled by President Arroyo last year.

Other super regions identified by the President were the Luzon Urban Belt, Mindanao, Central Philippines and the Cyber Corridor Super Regions.

According to the Mayor, these super regions are now being harnessed by the national government in building the new image of the country.

Braganza said that with major infrastructures now in place in Clark, Subic, Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Cebu, and he is hoping that Pangasinan could also finally become a growth center.

He also expressed optimism that with this airport project, Pangasinan would very accessible.

Alaminos airport is not far from the growth areas in the province and in Region I.

Both basic human and physical infrastructures that will support the airport project are also present in the province such as the Sual Sea Port and Mirant Phils.

“And this project would definitely attract more investors, lenders, tourists and aid donors to Alaminos, the province and the North Luzon Super Region in general,” he added.  

“More importantly, it opens floodgates of opportunities to Pangasinenses in terms of jobs, trade inflow, tourist and investment direct linkages and economic development.”

Based on the project study approved by Regional Development Council through a resolution, propose airport is located in an area that will also benefit neighboring towns in First District of Pangasinan.

Braganza revealed that the Alaminos airport will have a 1.2 kilometer runway with a project cost of at least P 700 M.

It will be commercial airports, he said. It can accommodate small jet aircrafts with around 60 person capacity or even large types of airplanes not only from within the Philippines but from other nations in the Asian region.

The former Press and Agrarian Reform Secretary is likewise eyeing the possible extension of the runway to around 1.9 kilometers and increases its area from 100 to 200 hectares to accommodate cargo planes.

With this huge investment, the city and province could soon export its agricultural produce to other super regions and even outside the country which is in consonance with the president’s vision of establishing agri-business center as part of her administration’s national agenda. (CIO)