In what is to be the most simple blessing rites Bariles has ever experienced, the General Santos City International Airport was blessed and prayed over this morning of March 18, 2010 by Diocesan Priest Fr. Joseph Benitez to mark the start of the FIRST PHASE of its renovation and expansion.

Present during the blessing and the ribbon cutting plus the wall-wrecking ceremonies which followed were Representative Darlene Antonino-Custodio of the 1st District of South Cotabato and General Santos City Mayor Jun Acharon.  Playing host was Air Transport Office Manager for GenSan Nathaniel Nazareno.

"FR. JOSEPH BENITEZ BLESSES THE WALL TO BE TORN DOWN TO GIVE WAY TO THE BIGGER AND WIDER ARRIVAL AREA AND BAGGAGE CONVEYOR"

Accoring to ATO Manager Nathaniel Nazareno, the FIRST PHASE of the renovation work which will last from three to four months, and to cost P20million, includes the following:

  • The Improvement, widening and renovation of the BAGGAGE CLAIM and WELCOME AREA.  A longer carousel to handle more incoming baggage and luggage and checked-in cargo from as many as two planes at once will replace the old one.
  • The improvement, widening and renovation of the CHECK-IN AREA which will include the setting up of a CONVEYOR behind the counters to immediately transport the luggage of departing passengers to the build-up area where they will be brought to the cargo compartment of the plane.
  • The improvement, widening and renovation of the PRE-DEPARTURE AREA to accommodate more seats for a projected surge in the volume of traffice in the coming months.

Representative Darlene Custodio and GenSan Mayor Jun Acharon cut the ribbon to signal the start of the expansion work on the GenSan Airport terminal building while ATO Manager Nathaniel Nazareno looks on.

The funds for the improvement of the GenSan International Airport which totals P121 million  (READ BLOG POST HERE) was mainly through the efforts of Congresswoman Darlene Antonino-Custodio.   This will be her legacy to the people of the Soccsksargen Area even as she leaves her seat after the May 2010 elections for a new mandate closer to her people.

"Mayor Jun Acharon perform the ceremonial wall-breaking of one of the walls of the old Baggage-Claim and Welcome Area of the GenSan International Airport."

All these mean a more aesthetically beautiful and functional airport and as GenSan Mayor Jun Acharon quipped, “Now everyone who flies in and sees the new GenSan International Airport will really declare as soon as they alight from their planes, “WOW!  MAGANDANG GENSAN NGA TALAGA!”

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