Aurora ecozone to host 12-hectare airport soon

MANILA, Philippines — The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) has acquired an additional 12 hectares of land in Casiguran in Aurora for the development of a commercial airport.

In a statement, APECO said its president and CEO Gil Taway IV signed an agreement  with landowners Edward Chua Cham and Magdalena Chua Cham for the acquisition on June 17.

Under the agreement, the Chua Cham family donated 5.2 hectares of land and sold an additional 6.8 hectares to APECO.

The land will be used for the development of the existing APECO airstrip into a commercial airport to link the ecozone to the global investment market.

“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. APECO, however, was able to acquire the property from the Chua Cham family at 50 percent less than the previous buying rate, which we consider highly advantageous to the government,” Taway said.

He said the latest development would strengthen APECO’s capacity to promote inclusive growth in Aurora.

For his part, Chua Cham said the donation and sale of the land supports APECO’s aim to bring progress and open opportunities in the northeastern part of Luzon.

“We believe that the development of the APECO Airport is not just a project for Casiguran, it is a project for the Filipino people. This is our small way of contributing to nation-building. We have seen how determined the current administration and APECO’s leadership are in driving economic development in Aurora. We hope that our gesture encourages others to support projects that aim to uplift communities and boost economic development,” he said.

The APECO Airport is expected to improve access to Aurora and the northeastern Luzon economic corridor.

Beyond improved connectivity, the airport is also expected to promote greater trade and investments in the area.

In February, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) inspected and assessed the condition of the Casiguran airstrip, paving the way for recommendations for the issuance of a permit to operate.

“We are working with CAAP and other key agencies to fast-track this project. The APECO Airport will not only serve as a gateway to Aurora but it will be a gateway to new opportunities for the Philippines,” Taway said.