President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday said that the government is working to open up the Philippines to more global investors and international tourists by upgrading and constructing airports nationwide, thereby providing direct international access to key destinations beyond Manila.

At the groundbreaking ceremony for the new passenger terminal building (PTB) of the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport in Caticlan, Aklan, President Marcos said the push to expand the airport “is one step in what is going to be the beginning of the journey. And that journey is to bring the Philippines once again to the forefront of the rest of the world.”

“To bring the Philippines once again to the top of mind of the rest of the world that this is the place where people can invest, people come to have a vacation, a businessman can come and do business to the benefit of their own interest and of course, of the country,” President Marcos said.

The President said similar projects will be undertaken in many regional airports, such as in Iloilo, Bohol, Siargao, and “there will be others more.”

“The idea is to open up the Philippines not necessarily only through Manila but on international flights coming from Europe, coming from Southeast Asia, coming directly to the tourist destinations,” said the President.

Acknowledging the importance of modern airports in boosting both the local and national economies, President Marcos noted that tourism now contributes nearly eight percent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

The construction of the PhP2.5-billion Passenger Terminal Building will be implemented by San Miguel Corp. (SMC) through its subsidiary Trans Aire Development Holdings Corp., in partnership with the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

The new terminal is designed to handle up to seven million passengers annually and will replace the existing facility. | PND