BPIA, dubbed the “Green Gateway to the World,” can handle around two million people per year and can accommodate four large planes, such as Boeing 777s and Airbus 330s, or seven small jets, such as Airbus 321s or 200s. It replaced and outperformed Tagbilaran Airport, the country’s 11th busiest airport, with an annual capacity of 800,000 passengers.
The majestic appearance of the airport alone will make any Filipino proud. The building’s roof is a multi-curved structure that appears to hover above the ground. The Chocolate Hills, a well-known Bohol destination, inspired this design.
Construction on the PHP8.9 billion ($169 million) facility began in 2015, and it was launched in November 2018. It is expected to be completed in January 2022.
As a “eco-airport,” the facility is designed with environmentally friendly elements and green technology in mind, and it meets the highest international standards.
Bohol-Panglao International Airport’s Sustainable Features:
- Solar energy is harvested from panels on the roof of the Passenger Terminal Building (PTB)
- For the most part, public spaces have natural lighting and ventilation.
- Air-conditioning system with energy-saving features
- LED lighting on buildings and access roads
- Toilets that conserve water
- Sensor-activated lights
- To prevent drainage water from seeping into the surrounding area, soak the yard with geotextile sheets.
The Philippines Department of Transportation and Communications and the Regional Development Council Central Visayas collaborated on the development of this 216-hectare airport.
As it stands, it has the potential to serve as a model for the development of similar technology in the Philippines in the future. The BPIA is a big step forward in the business, and it will undoubtedly be beneficial to local and international travelers who wish to see Bohol and the rest of the Visayas.
