The proposed Panglao airport and the reclamation project are not contradictory with each other. This was the reaction given by four Panglao businessmen who spoke on condition that they will not be identified because they are doing business with the government.“They (referring to the airport and reclamation projects) can go hand in hand and actually complement each other,” one resort owner remarked. He noted that the airport will naturally bring in more guests and tourists because the limitations of the present airport will be addressed. At the same time, the businessmen said that the reclamation project can also attract additional tourists into Panglao which will in turn benefit the airport.“The two projects should see each other as a partner. I do not see any reason why one should not appreciate the other,” the businessman added.

Another businessman expressed surprise at why there are people who seem to pit the airport and the reclamation project against each other. “In the first place, the airport is a government project while the reclamation project is a private sector initiative. They should not compete with each other,” the second businessman noted. He pointed out that the government should focus its energies and resources on the completion of the airport because it is already long overdue. “It should not dip its fingers into the reclamation project because it can be misconstrued as government interference in a private venture,” he added. A third businessman said airport officials should hope for as many business opportunities in Bohol particularly in the Panglao area to ensure its viability. “The more business generated in Panglao and surrounding areas, the better for the airport so more rooms is good for the airport,” he pointed out. At the same time, he said people advocating for the airport should generate good will by encouraging more investments like building more hotels which the reclamation project will do.

“It is natural for businessmen to stay away from trouble and conflict so unless there are irreconcilable differences, the two projects should not be viewed as adversarial to each other,” the businessman pointed out. A fourth businessman who was interviewed separately said the opponents of the reclamation project are doing the airport project a disservice.
“It is obvious that they are the ones who are trying to put down the reclamation project in their efforts to boost the airport project,” he added. The businessman said the problem with the airport project is the government’s own making so it has no one else to blame for the delay in its completion. Instead of making the reclamation project look bad, the businessman said government officials should speed up the airport project. “The airport project is not dependent on the reclamation project so people in the government should not waste their time on projects in the private sector,” he added. The airport project has been derailed by the fund requirements from government agencies. The delay has become an embarrassment and threatens to be an election issue in 2013. On the other hand, the reclamation project has gained momentum particularly among shareholders who want work to start as soon as possible. Like the airport project, its delay can become an election issue in 2013.