Mendoza: Speed up new Iloilo airport

ILOILO CITY — Residents of Iloilo and the adjoining provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz and Guimaras, have a reason to be happy as Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza has ordered the fast-tracking of the construction of the new P6.2-billion Iloilo airport.

Iloilo officials and residents, headed by Gov. Niel Tupas, and those of the other Panay provinces, said the opening of the new airport would speed up the island’s commercial and economic development.

A pre-bidding conference on the project was held here the other day. In attendance were the pre-qualified Japanese contractor, consultants, officials of the Department of Transportation and Communications, provincial and municipal officials led by Tupas, and representatives of the business sector and non-government organizations.

Mendoza had directed that the bidding process to be "fully transparent."