THE Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) acquired 12 hectares of land for the development of the Casiguran Airport into a commercial airport.
“[This] is a major step for the development of the existing APECO Airstrip into a commercial airport, which will connect the Casiguran-based ecozone to the global investment market,” APECO said in a statement on Wednesday.
Under the agreement, APECO received 5.2 hectares of land from the Chua Cham family as a donation, which already represents half of the airstrip, while the family sold an additional 6.8 hectares to APECO.
“APECO’s potential to do more depends on the amount of land we administer. In our continuing land acquisition efforts, we were left with higher rates beyond the zonal valuation,” said APECO President and Chief Executive Officer Gil G. Taway IV.
“APECO, however, was able to acquire the property from the Chua Cham family at 50% less than the buying rate, which we consider highly advantageous to the government,” he added.
The Casiguran Airport, which is planned to be renamed APECO Airport, is eyed to improve accessibility to Aurora and northeastern Luzon.
“The operationalization of the APECO Airport is also aimed at boosting investments and trade by providing direct air links for business travelers, investors, and cargo,” APECO said.
“In the tourism sector, it will also open up APECO’s natural tourist attractions, including beaches and its rich biodiversity, which will attract more visitors and create livelihood and employment for local communities,” it added. — Justine Irish D. Tabile
