AKLAN – The proposed expansion of Kalibo International Airport, which serves as major gateway to Boracay Island, has met a strong opposition from affected residents.
Land owners are said to be seeking the intervention of the court after the Department of Transportation and Communication (DoTC) has offered to pay them between P280-P600 per square meter as expropriation compensation.
But Atty. Florencio Gonzales, legal counsel of the residents, said the land owners are asking DoTC to pay P5,000 per square meter.
Gonzales said that the residents considers the P600-per square meter price below the standard value compared to the cheapest rate of lots in Kalibo which is reportedly pegged at P3,000 per square meter.
Based on Gonzales’ calculation, the DoTC is buying an estimated 500 hectares of land that is composed of lots from aggregate villages of Nalook, Tigayon, Pook and Caano.
Gonzales adds the resident have other demands that include a priority in terms of the employment that has something to do with the development of the airport and possible relocation site.
Gonzales also emphasized that the affected residents are asking for participation in the airport’s Comprehensive Development Plan. (Jun Aguirre)