Would the Panglao Airport be realized or not? Such persistent public query was answered by the President herself.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo assures Boholanos Panglao Bohol International Airport (PBIA) civil works would roll by December this year.
The Presidential assurance came amidst rumors that the Project Management Office has met “minor problems†with the facility’s works.
In her recent visit here during the Bohol Day Celebration, PGMA bared that the project is now with the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Board.
According to the President, Transportation and Communication Secretary Leandro Mendoza fast-tracked the timetable of the project and is only awaiting the National Economic Development Authority Investment Coordinating Committee (NEDA-ICC) approval on the final costing of the Bohol airport facility.
NEDA-ICC is to meet by the first week of August.
The President does not see any problem with the airport project.
The NEDA Board meeting, which gives the final nod for the project’s cost, is in time when the President would be in Washington for a state visit and talks with US President Barack Obama.
On this, Mrs. Arroyo said she would let Vice President Noli de Castro preside over the board to assure facilitated project nod.
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) is mainly bankrolling the P4.17B project by putting in P3B. MIAA Manger Alfonso Cusi had personally made several visits here and assured Gov. Erico Aumentado the agency’s commitment. The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) puts up the remaining P1.7B.
It may be recalled that President Arroyo herself broke ground and buried the time capsule for the project in May of 2008. When she did this, she pronounced that the project should be done before her term ends in 2010.
The road access widening works leading to Panglao airport is now underway, lessening worries as the days off the President’s term tick off.
PGMA’s Bohol Day announcement elated the Boholanos, including those who came home for the triennial Tigum Bolanon sa Tibook Kalibutan (TBTK) worldwide this week, who anticipated major statements from the President’s adopted project dreamt by local officials.
The anticipation of a major statement from the President was also borne out of the fear that the project may have been dumped because of local opposition here.
Apart from the President’s pronouncements, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, who also talked with DOTC Secretary Mendoza bared an “all systems go†status for the airport facility in Panglao. - the Bohol Standard
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