Skip to main content

Megaworld to build monument for demolished old Iloilo Airport Control Tower?

It is no secret that Megaworld Corporation was the catalyst of Iloilo City's boom that started more than 10 years ago.


The prime developer of townships across the country bought the 54-hectare old Iloilo Airport lot for PhP 1.2 billion as developed it into the premier CBD known as Iloilo Business Park.


Anchored by Festive Walk Iloilo mall, Richmonde Hotel Iloilo, Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo, Iloilo Convention Center, ILOMOCA, numerous BPO offices and luxury condominium towers, the development has changed the over-all landscape of Iloilo City and little remains of what it used to be - an airport.


The only surviving remnant of the old Mandurriao airport is the Control Tower and it serves as a monument to Iloilo's aviation history and Philippine aviation history.


The structure also pays homage to Pope John Paul II, who used the airport on his Iloilo stop during his 1981 visit to the Philippines. (Wikipedia)


And the days of the structure are numbered as demolition of the original structure is currently on-going.


The official Facebook page of the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council (ICCHCC), has posted the following excepts of its meeting last April 13, 2021.
  • The council was informed by Office of the Building Official (OBO) that the structural analysis report was validated and has not passed the minimum standard.
  • Retrofitting is no longer possible.
  • The OBO is waiting for the resolution from the ICCHCC to proceed with the demolition since this the Old Airport Control Tower is structurally unsafe and poses danger to the public and the immediate vicinity.
  • A resolution of no objection to the demolition of the Old Airport Control Tower will be passed on the premise that the commitments undertaken by the proponent shall be fulfilled.


Furthermore, the post continues with Megaworld's proposal on how to preserve the legacy of the old airport despite the demolition of the original structure.


The proponent (MEGAWORLD) has committed to the following in line with their request for demolition:

1. An 8-foot replica of the Old Airport Control Tower shall be developed and will be put on display within the Megaworld Area.


2. A marker shall be installed at the sidewalk of the lot where the Old Airport Control Tower currently stands. The marker shall include an inscription to highlight the history of the control tower.


3. Documentation of the Old Airport Control Tower in the form of photos and as-built plans will be provided to the ICCHCC.

These infos are just limited to the actual Facebook posting and further details will, hopefully be made public by the ICCHCC. Megaworld Corporation, on the other hand, makes official media press releases on the latest developments at Iloilo Business Park, which we'll just wait for the time being.


Photo credits
ICCHCC FB Page, Michael Francis Rafael, Robbie Robles

Popular posts from this blog

Travelers guide to Iloilo transport terminals (Airport, Jeepneys, Buses, RORO. etc)

Being the biggest city on Panay Island and the center of Western Visayas region, Iloilo City is a transportation hub whether by land, sea or air. These numerous transportation terminals facilitate day to day commerce, light & heavy industries, and tourism, among others. As this is a travel blog, this guide is aimed to tourists who want to experience and explore Iloilo and perhaps even beyond. Iloilo International Airport A little more than five years old, the Iloilo International Airpor t is among the most modern and beautiful in the country today. It is situated around 20 kilometers from Iloilo City , straddling the towns of Cabatuan, San Miguel and Sta. Barbara . It has direct links to Manila, Cebu, Clark, Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro  and Puerto Princesa plus international destinations Hong Kong and Singapore . Among the first hurdles tourists will have to contend is the distance that translates to expensive fare when traveling to and from this airport.
Read more

Connie Carillo Diversified Farm in Bingawan: Helping Sustaining a Healthy Community Through Farm Schools

The area around the town of Bingawan, the edge of the central portion of the province is where it ends and the town of Tapaz, Capiz province begins and is very much another unsung corner of Iloilo with warm, friendly, welcoming people. Bingawan has some rich farming land and farming is at the heart of its village life. The landscapes are gorgeous here; with gentle pastures, to the high mountains. The area offers some beautiful hikes and bike trails across its lovely rolling meadows, woodland and a few working farms. The town would be less touristic than its neighboring towns but is well worth exploring. If you are concerned about how organic can contribute to benefit our shared environment, promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved, then a trip to Connie Carillo Diversified Farm is for you. With the governments’ efforts to improve the knowledge and technical skills of the farmers, the Connie Carillo Diversified Fa
Read more

Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo Levels Up Sustainability Efforts by Eliminating single-use plastic water bottles in guest rooms.

  Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo, a prominent player in the hospitality industry, is proud to announce a significant step forward in its commitment to sustainability. With a dedication to preserving the environment, the hotel is taking substantial measures to reduce its ecological footprint and enhance its sustainable practices.   Hotels have long been contributors to plastic pollution due to the widespread use of single-use bottled water. Recognizing this environmental challenge in the tourism industry, Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo is taking a bold step forward by reducing its plastic footprint significantly by removing single-use bottled water from guest rooms.   Eliminating Single-Use Bottled Water: Embracing Reusable Carafes with UV Filtration Water Stations   Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo places itself at the forefront of the eco-conscious movement by eliminating single-use bottled water from its guest rooms and fully implementing reusable carafes as an amenity from July onwards. Water
Read more