President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday highlighted the Antique Airport Development Project as a benchmark for cost-efficient and well-executed infrastructure, stressing that effective use of public funds can yield significant benefits.
Leading the inauguration of the rehabilitated airport in San Jose de Buenavista, Marcos said he was struck by the relatively low cost of the upgrades.
“Ang sinabi sa akin, the total cost for all improvements and construction was ₱120 million, medyo nagulat ako sabi ko napakamura. ‘Yung tower pa lang, ₱42 million lamang ang ginastos,” Marcos said.
The project expanded the Passenger Terminal Building from 181 to 2,224 square meters, boosting seating capacity from 64 to 360 passengers and increasing check-in counters from two to six.
Other improvements include a ramp that can accommodate four jet aircraft, a seven-story control tower, modern baggage and flight information systems, and a runway extension from 1,430 to 1,800 meters to allow jet operations.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines noted the new terminal cost ₱120 million, while the entire development project from 2017 to 2023 amounted to ₱1.5 billion.
Marcos underscored the project as proof of what government can achieve when resources are properly allocated.
“Ito ay isang magandang halimbawa na kung tama ang pinaglalagyan ng pera ng tao, makikita natin napakarami nating kayang gawin — mas mabilis, mas mura, mas maganda,” he said.
He urged officials to treat the Antique airport as a standard for future public works amid concerns over corruption and overpricing.
“Gawin ninyo itong pamantayan para sa ating serbisyo sa mga residente at sa ating mga turista,” Marcos said.
The President emphasized quality implementation to ensure projects benefit the public quickly.
“Tiyakin natin na isasagawa nang maayos ang mga proyekto upang mas mabilis itong mapakinabangan ng ating mga kababayan,” he added.
The Antique airport upgrade is part of a broader modernization program that includes improvements at Iloilo International Airport and Roxas Airport, aimed at boosting tourism, trade, and growth in Western Visayas.