GREEN LIGHT? DOTC Sec. Leandro Mendoza
(center) discusses with Rep. Edgar Chatto and Gov. Erico
Aumentado the finalization of the Panglao Bohol Int'l
Airport project during a meeting at the Bohol Beach Club
last Friday. |
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The
much-awaited Panglao Bohol International Airport has
now set April 2010 as its target date for completion
after the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA)
assured the availability of P3 billion for the construction
of the modern airport.
MIAA
General Manager Art Cusi arrived here Friday with the
entire board of MIAA to assure the Boholanos that this
is "no longer a dream, but a reality soon to commence
with the fast tracking of the lot acquisition which
totals to 195 hectares, including the expanded 2.5 km.
runway.
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He
bared the P3 billion outlay is a "sure deal" after
business tycoon Lucio Tan paid P3 billion as part of Philippine
Airlines' payables to the MIAA as rental fees of the Centennial
Airport which is being used by PAL as terminal building of
all its domestic and international flights. The amount is
now placed under escrow intended as the budgetary outlay for
the airport project here.
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The
total project cost has escalated to P3.8 billion due
to the delay of its implementation.
DOTC
Secretary Leandro Mendoza who also flew into town to
attend the meeting of the Panglao Island Tourism Estate
Task Force at the Bohol Beach Club likewise confirmed
that aside from the MIAA fund, DOTC has earmarked P145
million for the Bohol Airport project
The
PITE task force meeting was presided by Gov. Erico Aumentado,
PITE chairman together with Rep. Edgar Chatto, who is
the task force vice chairman.
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GM
Cusi bared that he received marching orders from Pres. Arroyo
to expedite the release of funds for the Panglao Airport considering
that it has been delayed for several years already.
The
President wants to personally inaugurate the airport on April
5, 2010, which is her birthday, according to Gov. Aumentado.
Sec.
Mendoza urged Bohol officials to expedite its acquisition
of lots especially that the Environmental Clearance Certificate
(ECC) issued by DENR will expire by June 2008.
However,
DENR Regional Director Allan Aranjuez assured the approved
ECC will be extended.
Gov.
Aumentado said that with the pronouncement issued by GM Cusi
in front of the members of MIAA board, he expects the project
to commence momentarily. He ordered Prov'l Attorney Handel
Lagunay to fast track the lot acquisition including the expropriation
proceedings for those who refuse to sell their properties.
Presently,
only 52 hectares involving 62 lots have already been acquired
or just 36% of the entire lot requirement for the airport.
In
order to ensure its fast job, Gov. Aumentado said two contractors
will simultaneously work on the runway and the terminal building.
The
Panglao Airport is one of the 16 airports to be constructed
in Central Philippines which is part of the mega region development
program of the Arroyo administration.
Only
recently, the Iloilo Airport was inaugurated with its 7-km.
six-lane highway leading to the new airport.
The
projection for international flights once the Panglao Airport
will be completed is a guaranteed scenario since the huge
Chinese and Korean markets are just waiting for available
seats in airline and resort accommodations as well, commented
DOT Regional Director Dawnie Roa who attended last Friday's
meeting.
OTHER
CONCERNS
While
the airport project seems to be nearing its take-off, other
major issues and concerns were discussed during the PITE meeting
last Friday
Among
the concerns discussed were the road development in Panglao,
the water supply from Bohol Water Utilities, Inc. (BWUI),
the controversial salvage zone issue involving several properties
in Panglao and the solid waste management/sewerage system.
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