MikeLigalig.com

Reported by Rey Anthony Chiu
Philippine Information Agency   

   A key Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) denied allegations that the soon to be implemented Panglao Bohol Airport Project already has a contractor, dousing speculations that a favored government contractor has the multi-billion project in the bag.

   MIAA’s Tirso G. Serrano, during a press briefing on the project Monday at the capitol stressed, “we are not even on the stage of construction yet.”
   Serrano, MIAA’s assistant general manager for airport development and corporate affairs said “the project is yet on the detailed engineering and design stage.”

   â€œBidding comes after the completion and acceptance of the detailed engineering and design, and in the case of Panglao, the design is still on the drawing boards,” he said. 

   The clarification also came a day before President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is set to lead the capsule laying and ground breaking ceremonies for the Bohol airport, May 20. 

   Reports floated on local radio stations detailed that the P4.2B Bohol airport to replace the city airport has already a winning bidder: Hanjin Heavy Industries Corporation. 

   Hanjin, a large Korean firm that worked on the Bohol’s mega projects has earned the cold stares of local contractors who are being “sidelined” for obvious lack of financial resources to compete in large-scale government projects. 

   No particular person organization however has been pointed as the source of the radio reports.

   The same triggered more speculations that the project was indeed railroaded and did not go through the standard government open competitive public bidding process, pushing Bohol concerned sectors on guard against corruption. Some concerned Boholanos have openly aired desire for a Congressional inquiry to shed light on the issue.

   On the inquiry, Serrano said “like any public office, we always welcome inquiries” as to the processes while assuring that the project is “deliberately planned and carefully though of considering Bohol’s huge potential.”

   The Panglao airport is first airport development in the country bankrolled by MIAA, sources during the briefing bared.

   Having been given the chance to be the lead agency in the development of the proposed Panglao Bohol Airport Development Project, MIAA also facilitated the establishment of the revised project’s feasibility study for technical, economic and financial aspects.

   Initial master plan consists of phased development schemes: construction 2.5 kilometer runway with 7.5 meter paved shoulders, the construction of administration buildings inclusive of cargo terminal, air traffic control tower, crash-fire rescue facility, airport maintenance, airport utilities, visual and navigational aids equipment, power house and installation of stand by generator, airport security fence, perimeter roads and airport access roads.

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