The land acquisition for the PHP800-million Bolinao Airport project in Pangasinan, a first for the province, is now at 70 percent, Governor Ramon Guico III said.

In an interview on Wednesday, Guico, however, declined to give specifics on the location of the airport so as not to compromise the ongoing land acquisition but said the funding will come partly from the provincial government and a loan from state-owned Land Bank of the Philippines.

He said the airport will be designed to have a 1,500-meter runway that is large enough to accommodate propeller-type commercial aircraft like Airbus 320.

“Phase two will expand to 2.5 kilometers taxiway for smaller aircrafts, ramp, apron and terminal as well as the roads going to the main road that needs development,” he added.

Guico said the Bolinao Airport will further boost the tourism industry in the first district of Pangasinan, which boasts of white sand beaches, salt farms, the Balingasay River and the giant clam breeding area, among others.

The Pangasinan Link Expressway that will connect the eastern and western portion of Pangasinan will also complement the airport.

“We hope to finish the airport by 2025,” Guico said. (PNA)