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press release from EDCOM

Gov. Edgar Chatto discussed all the concerns crucial to the realization of the gigantic air terminal infrastructure project on Panglao island during the meeting of the New Bohol Airport Task Force headed by former Tagbilaran City Mayor Jose Torralba on Wednesday.

This occurred after the directive from the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to the governor to proceed with the acquisition of the remaining lots needed for the project in prime tourism Panglao.

Chatto said the DOTC go-signal clearly indicates the seriousness of the Aquino administration in materializing the billions-worth airport long grounded on the drawing board.

To recall, Chatto met with DOTC Sec. Jose “Ping” de Jesus and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Usec. Mario Relampagos last August to discuss the possibility of pushing through with the project for fear of congestion that is now happening at the existing Tagbilaran City Airport, especially its pre-departure and parking areas, and the shortness of its runway that greatly affect airport operation and the efficiency of its facility.

Chatto deemed it necessary to convene the task force for the final review and perusal of records of the New Bohol Airport, and to make sure that all necessary documents, expenditures, engineering interventions and other several factors be considered and put into proper perspective before their final presentation to the DOTC.

This is also to avoid misrepresentations and misinterpretations which could affect the project construction, and to make sure that the remaining P25M for the lot acquisition is already the “final and actual” amount which he would submit to the DOTC for final review.

This would then be the basis of the department to allocate more or not.

Provincial Executive Assistant for Internal Affairs Gabino Redulla presented to the task force the necessary figures as provided to him by all departments tasked to assist in the project.

Provincial Administrator Alfonso Damalerio II gave clear-cut parameters for project- involved sectors to follow and do smoothly and efficiently according to their assigned tasks.

He said the office vacated by the Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) Company along Marapao St. would serve as the new office of the task force, which convenes twice a month.

Chatto said the transactions completed in the past year related to the project will be properly scrutinized---and paid, if necessary, provided that all the necessary requirements have been complied with---and that the lots needed for the project which are available through barter or expropriation be duly discussed and inventoried.

The governor said that the project will be re-packaged to appropriately give way to Public-Private Partnership (PPP) modality, which arrangement could be signed within this month carried out this year, specifically from June to December, depending on the scheme developed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which will enter into an agreement with the Philippine government.

Chatto pointed out that as a result of the PPP, the airport terminal and facilities will be for private sector participation while the runways and navigational routes taken care of by the government.

It was learned that 225 lots have already been acquired for the project. There are still 61 lots or equivalent to 24.5 hectares for acquisition while 95 lot owners have expressed desire to go for the barter.

Torralba, on the other hand, said that the reason why the documents submitted earlier to Manila were not acted upon was the impending change in leadership after the May 2010 elections.

In The task force meeting, Engr. Irwyn Lumuthang was named the head of the technical team, which assists in facilitate the fasttracking of the project.

It was further agreed that the New Bohol Airport Task Force will continue with the land acquisition, appraisal and inventory, submit priorities and segregate lots as to their current status.

Chatto emphasized that his administration with Vice Gov. Concepcion Lim, and with the invaluable support of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan members, is now “tying loose ends.”

“We should do our share in cleanest way we can and be sure that we are standing on solid ground,” he said, straight and firm. (jlv/EDCom)

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