Reposition Kalibo Airport for National Security and Resilience: A Strategic Opportunity for Aklan

OPINION | A CALL TO ACTION FOR LOCAL LEADERSHIP

As Kalibo International Airport (KIA) faces reduced commercial traffic due to the expansion of Caticlan Airport into a full-scale domestic and international gateway, we must now confront an urgent question: What is Kalibo’s future role in national development?

Rather than allowing Kalibo to fade quietly into redundancy, I respectfully propose that the Provincial Government of Aklan take proactive leadership in repositioning Kalibo Airport as a dual-use civilian-military airport—a strategic hub for national defense, disaster response, and economic recovery.

This is not merely a theoretical idea—it is a practical, proven solution.

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Why This Makes Sense for Kalibo
1. Strategic Location
Kalibo is located at the geographic center of the Philippine archipelago. It lies within tactical air range of the West Philippine Sea, Mindoro, Palawan, Samar, and Bicol—critical areas in both defense and disaster vulnerability.
2. Runway and Infrastructure Readiness
Kalibo already has a 2,500-meter main runway, capable of handling military and humanitarian aircraft such as C-130s, FA-50s, and C-295s. The ongoing development of a second runway places Kalibo in a unique position to host both commercial and defense operations without compromising civilian use.
3. Historical and National Context
Many of the country’s major air gateways were born from military-civilian collaboration. Villamor Air Base shares space with NAIA. Mactan Air Base, once a U.S. facility, now coexists with Mactan-Cebu International Airport. Lumbia Airport in CDO, once a commercial airport, now functions as a defense base under the EDCA framework. Even Caticlan Airport, originally known as Tabung Point Airfield, began as an army landing field in 1937.
4. Disaster Response and Humanitarian Relief
Western Visayas is frequently battered by typhoons, earthquakes, and flooding. A centrally located air base in Kalibo would serve as a vital humanitarian logistics hub, able to deploy aid quickly to Capiz, Antique, Mindoro, and Eastern Visayas. This aligns directly with NDRRMC objectives and would qualify for support from DSWD, OCD, and international agencies.
5. Economic Revitalization and Job Creation
A dual-use facility will bring in defense investments, construction opportunities, logistics jobs, and support services—without displacing tourism. In fact, it may even enhance public safety and resilience, thereby benefiting tourism and trade in the long term.

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What Can the Provincial Government Do?

The Provincial Government of Aklan, together with the Municipality of Kalibo and the Regional Development Council (RDC), can initiate the following actions:
1. Pass a Provincial Resolution endorsing the transformation of Kalibo International Airport into a strategic civilian-military airport.
2. Convene a multisectoral working group including the Civil Aviation Authority (CAAP), Philippine Air Force, Department of National Defense (DND), and NEDA to assess feasibility.
3. Engage with the EDCA Committee, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) for technical planning and infrastructure support.
4. Coordinate with national legislators from Aklan to include this initiative in national infrastructure and defense modernization planning.
5. Host a stakeholder forum to gather support from the business community, transport sector, and local tourism operators.

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A Final Word

We cannot afford to be reactive in these uncertain times. The role of infrastructure in national security and disaster readiness has never been more important. By acting now, we position Kalibo not as a second option to Caticlan, but as an essential asset for the Republic.

This proposal is a call for strategic foresight, local initiative, and national relevance.

Kalibo International Airport can and should rise—not only as a gateway to Boracay, but as a pillar of national resilience, security, and development.

Let’s begin this conversation today.