By: Rey Anthony Chiu
President Benigno Simeon Aquino revealed three major infrastructure projects that he said would increase Bohol’s global competitiveness as one of the world’s top tourism destinations.
In his latest visit to Bohol, the President, this time promised the operation of the new Panglao Bohol Airport four years after today, this after the National Economic Development Authority Board approved the P7.4 billion air facility a good minute away from the famed beaches of the prime tourist island.
He said the construction of the air facility starts in November of 2013 and would be completed as he steps out of office by 2016.
“Alam nating turismo ang isa sa mga pangunahin ninyong industriya. Sino ba naman ang hindi makakakilala sa Chocolate Hills at tarsiers ng Bohol? Kaya dagdagan pa natin ang magandang balita: inaprubahan na noong ika-4 ng Setyembre ng NEDA Board ang New Bohol Airport na itatayo sa Panglao,†according to the President.
“We have apportioned P7.4 billion for this project. We anticipate the initial construction in November next year. And before my term ends in 2016, you will have a new and modern airport, the president spoke in Filipino, before a gathering of barangay officials for the First Barangay Day in Bohol held at the Bohol Wisdom School Gymnasium September 26.
Several Boholanos however take the revelation with a shrug.
Former President Arroyo uttered similar statements when her administration approved the bidding price of P6.2 billion for the airport with international standards. The amount was reviewed for alleged overpricing.
“We would believe until we can see the project,†a clearly ambivalent Panglao town Mayor Benedicto Alcala said.
Meanwhile, the President also bared the construction of the P138 million Sagbayan-Danao National Road, which leads to Bohol’s premier extreme adventure experience as a national priority.
The paving of the 20+-kilometer road stretch cuts travel time from Tagbilaran to Danao significantly, tourist drivers said.
Now, with the road in the process of construction, Danao is still three hours away from the city, the travel time often discouraging day tourists from trying out the extreme experience that topbills the Plunge: a canyon swing experience that drops harnessed-tourists from a swinging platform to an abyss two hundred meters below.
President Aquino also told Boholanos of the ongoing road network of Antequera-San Isidro to Libertad-Tubigon Road too ease travel of goods and services as well as ensure safety of people traveling these areas.
The road network effectively connects landlocked town San Isidro to Antequera and Tubigon, its nearest port to Cebu.
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