Arroyo's airport complex: 29 airports to open by 2010

If Imelda Marcos was known for her edifice complex, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo might go down in history for her airport complex. At least 29 airports, dozens of road and port projects across the Philippines composed the intractable bundle of promises she made in her 2007 State of the Nation Address. By all indications, however, it was a redux of the "super regions" projects she launched in her 2006 SONA. Mrs Arroyo moved form one region to the other, and run down project names that she dutifully paired with a roll call of the names of her local political allies who are either project proponents or sponsors. Among the President's promises: * For the Luzon "Urban Beltway": four major and other road projects, including the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Express Road , the radar approach control of the Clark Airport, the C-5-Katipunan section for the North Luzon and South Luzon Expressways connection is now on-going, the widening of the Alabang Viaduct up to Santo Tomas, Batangas and the extension of SLEX to the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road. * For Central Philippines, roads "to enhance tourism" and move people and goods in Panay Island, including Boracay: 8 major ports and airports projects worth P15.51 billion, including the Jagna Port in Bohol, the Iloilo International Airport, the Kalibo Airport, the Bacolod Airport, and the Guiuan Airport in Eastern Samar. Other airport projects she promised to launch or bankroll during her watch are the Kabankalan and Panglao airports, an international airport in Daraga, Albay. Shje said the Casiguran (Aurora), Kalibo, New Iloilo and Ozamis Airports will be finished during the first semester, and the other four in the second semester. In addition, Mrs Arrroyo said 21 other air terminals are programmed to be completed before the President bows out of office in 2010, while three more would be operational by 2011. * For Central Philippines, 16 airport projects to be improved or constructed as part of the intra-regional and extra-regional transport system. * For the North Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle, six airport projects. * For Mindanao, seven airports. Finally, Mrs Arroyo said 21 road and bridge projects in the beltway would add to the existing 20,568 kms. of paved national roads. - GMANews.TV