Written by Misael on 20 May 2008
A key Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) denied allegations that the soon to be implemented Panglao Bohol Airport Project has already 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.”
“Bidding 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 , 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.
Long term plans for the airport include a 900 meter extension so the airport can accommodate larger aircraft, according to MIAA specifications.
The project brief distributed by Capitol also note that the P4.2B project would be completed by 2010 and is expected to amplify Bohol accessibility to other parts of the Visayas and Mindanao boosting local and foreign tourism in the country. (rachiu/PIA)
Tags: Bohol Airport, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), Panglao airport
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Written by Misael on 20 May 2008
EIGHTEEN to 23 months from now or at least on April 2010, Bohol bound planes would be landing in a longer, safer and more modern air facility in the resort island of Panglao, the country’s premier international airport authority said.
Officials of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), the lead agency and top financial bankroller for the P4.2B Panglao Bohol International Airport Project said the new airport project here excites the MIAA leadership.
According to MIAA assistant general manager for Airport Development and Corporate Affairs Tirso G. Serrano, “it’s something MIAA aggressively pursued because we believe in the tourism potential of the region.”
MIAA bankrolls at least P3B for its first airport development project with the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) sharing its fiscal resource of another P1.2B.
By April of 2010, the airport would have at least 2500 meters airstrip with paved shoulders, 2 stud taxi ways, 4 aircraft stands serving at most Airbus 320, has category 1 precision and air navigation systems, a two storey 7600 sq. meter passenger terminal building with 360 car park slots, cargo terminal buildings, admin buildings, category 6 crash fire rescue facilities.
To be implemented on phases, the 2010 time table includes the phase 1 or the 2.5 kilometer runway and paved shoulders and phase 2, which is the administration building and passenger terminal, air cargo terminal, crash fire rescue facilities and other support services.
While present check in at the city airport is often clogged, it would be a thing in the past.
The new Panglao facility sports 12 check in counters, 2 arrival and 3 departure conveyors, a customs and an immigration counter, 21 flight information monitors14 restroom blocks, 2 elevators and 2 escalators on the terminal building, airport design bared.
The plan to relocate the province’s premier air gateway soared after experts realize that improving the existing Tagbilaran City airport for bigger handling capacity is not only improbable but also expensive and almost physically impossible, an initial study on upgrading the city airport bared.
Aside from residential areas and business establishments in the city air hub’s immediate perimeter, the existing airport establishments suffer from physical inadequacies like insufficient runway strip, apron space and inadequate equipment and facilities, the project feasibility by TCGI Consultants also add.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo personally leads the capsule laying ceremony, which signifies the instigation of the initial phases of the actual construction of the modern airport right in the tourist resort island in Bohol, May 20.
With her would be MIAA general manager Alfonso Cusi, DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Governor Erico Aumentado, Panglao Mayor Benedicto Alcala, Bohol Representatives Edgar Chatto, Roberto Cajes, Adam Relson Jala and other local officials.
The Panglao facility now uses international design standards in its runways and paved shoulders can be upgradeable to 3.4 kilometers so it could accommodate bigger aircraft in the future, says the MIAA.
MIAA said the airport would boost local and foreign tourism industry while underscoring its support for domestic airports with vast potential for tourism and trade in the country. The facility, MIAA said would allow inter-island transfers for sea, air and land possible and the country’s beautiful sites accessible. (rachiu/PIA)
Tags: Bohol Airport, MIAA, Panglao airport, panglao-bohol airport capsule-laying
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