Leyte airport staying in Tacloban or moving to Palo?

Lawmakers are divided over the proposed transfer of Daniel Z. Romualdez (DZR) Airport from Tacloban City to Palo, Leyte Administration lawmakers rallied behind President Aquino's supposed "politically-motivated" plan to transfer the Tacloban airport, while opposition lawmakers rejected his proposal, saying that it is more economical if the government would consider upgrading the current airport.

In separate interviews, AKO Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe, Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo and Iloilo Rep. Jerry Trenas do not see any problem if the airport would be transferred to Palo, Leyte, provided that all concerned stakeholders would be consulted.

"We do not have problem with that so long as the pros and cons were carefully considered by the Executive, including consulting all affected stakeholders regardless of their political affiliations," Batocabe said.

Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez earlier called for series of public consultations should Executive decides to pursue its plan to transfer the airport, saying that building a new airport would cost the government some P10 to P12 billion.

Quimbo defended Mr. Aquino's plan, saying that "the President never makes a decision based on impulse or political bias."

"He is very determined that we be able not just to build back but to build it better," he said.

For his part, Trenas said, "if it is covered by all the necessary studies to justify the transfer, then I am all for it."

No to transfer, yes to upgrade House minority bloc members--Deputy Minority Leader and Isabel Rep. Rodito Albano and 1-BAP party-list Rep. Silvestre Bello joined House independent bloc leader and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Romualdez in rejecting the transfer of the Eastern Visayas' key airport to Palo from the city of Tacloban.

"It will be politicized if you transfer the airport. To where? I hope it's near or rather why not just say that we will add another airport somewhere near," Albano said.

Bello suggested that the government should focus on improving the current airport facility in Tacloban City, without the discounting the fact that airport transfer is a "politically-inspired proposition."

"Instead of transferring the airport from Tacloban to Palo, the government should consider upgrading or improving the present Tacloban airport. It's more economical and more convenient to the flying public," he said.

Rep. Romualdez earlier said before entertaining the idea of transferring the Tacloban airport to Palo, the national government should first improve the Ninoy Aquino International Airport 1, which was once tagged as the world's worst airport.

He said President Aquino "should focus on projects that would be done during his term."