PANGLAO PREPARATIONS. Gov. Erico
Aumentado, Rep. Edgar Chatto and Assistant GM Tirso Serano
of the MIAA talk on major concerns for Panglao during
the PITE task force meeting last Friday at the Panglao
Island Nature Resort. Foto DANNY REYES |
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The
supply of power and water should be sufficient in Panglao
before we can talk of having an international airport,
admits Gov. Erico Aumentado who expressed optimism that
the Panglao Bohol International Airport will be completed
in April 2010.
He
admitted that both basic services are way behind of
what is expected of an area
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which
will soon host a new international airport.
Aumentado
bared that as far as power is concerned, there is only an excess
of 35 megawatts in the province which will never be enough once
an airport operates and more resorts are being constructed in
Panglao within the next two years.
The
new airport itself already needs at least 20 megawat power
as he confirmed that the province now consumes 65 megawatts.
Because
of this power requirement, Gov. Aumentado effected an endorsement
from the Provincial Development Council (PDC) to be given
access to additional power sourcing from the Leyte geothermal
power source.
In
tandem with the power requirement is the urgency to tap a
potable water source which is a basic need in a resort area
and even when the construction of the new airport would commence,
the governor stressed.
He
revealed that the Bohol Water Utilities, Inc. (BWUI) is requested
to fast track its studies for the utilization of the upper
Abatan River.
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A
short term solution to bring potable water to Panglao
is tapping the water source in Baclayon town. However,
the Baclayon LGU stood firm in selling its water to
BWUI at P20 per cubic meter which, according to BWUI
authorities is very impossible since they intend to
sell water to Panglao at P28 per cubic meter.
Because
of this deadlock, Gov. Aumentado asked BWUI to instead
explore on a more long term projection which is to tap
the Abatan River. He requested the water company to
timetable its completion by early 2010, or even earlier.
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The
concern for both water and power services was expressed by
the governor when he presided the 29th meeting of the PITE
Inter-agency Task Force at the Panglao Island Nature Resort
last Friday.
LOT
ACQUSITION
Some
163 hectares (out of the 195) needed are ready for the airport
land utilization, according to Prov'l Attorney Handel Lagunay
during last Friday's meeting.
He
bared that 119 hectares were already paid while 15 hectares
are under process while only 2.6 hectares might be expropriated.
ROAD
NETWORK
Rep.
Edgar Chatto who was co-presiding the task force meeting last
Friday confirmed that
some of the road network leading to the new airport was already
approved of its funding. He cited the widening of the two
causeways into a four-lane road, both at the Mansasa junction
and at sitio Ubos, this city. The widening includes the upgrading
of the Amabssador Pablo Suarez Jr. Bridge and the Gov. Jacinto
Borja Bridge, both connecting the passage ways from this city
to the resort island, composed of two towns of Dauis and Panglao.
AIRPORT
CITY
On
top of the airport development, the concept of an "Airport
City" was presented by Asst GM Tirso Seranno of the Manila
International Airport Authority (MIAA).
He
stressed that the new airport, once completed by 2010, will
draw more residents to stay in the area.
Rep.
Chatto supported the concern of Panglao Mayor Benedicto Alcala
that an urban planning should guide the development of the
town. He asked that the town mayor should be well informed
and coordinated on the proposed development in the area.
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