TAGBILARAN CITY — Bohol’s gateways gained highlights in the national discussions on 2014 infrastructure directions with the governor’s lobbying for expansion of the Tagbilaran Airport with an additional apron and terminal while waiting for the completion of the bigger New Bohol Airport in Panglao.
The recommendation to put up an additional apron and terminal building at the Tagbilaran had been presented to the officials of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) by Undersecretary Julianito Bucayan Jr. of the DOTC Project Implementation and Special Concerns in a recent meeting in Manila.
Gov. Edgar Chatto reported this through a long distance call from Manila while he attended the general assembly of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP).
Bucayan visited Bohol last week to confirm the feasibility of putting up the second apron at the Tagbilaran City Airport and to also inspect the status of the ongoing land preparation and perimeter fencing at the site of the New Bohol Airport in Panglao.
Chatto said Bucayan found it practical to immediately ease the congestion at the city airport.
This is also to prevent a repeat of the incident wherein all Tagbilaran flights had been cancelled because a stalled aircraft was occupying the sole apron at the city airport; this happened twice already this month because of the one-aircraft per apron policy of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Chatto said there is already an available property in barangay Taloto that the airport management can lease for the site of the additional apron and one more terminal building.
The property is located next to the existing runway and its final lease arrangement is now under negotiation with the owner.
These details had been included in the presentation of Bucayan during Friday’s meeting with CAAP and DOTC higher officials.
Instead of being just a back-up apron, it will be a full set of additional facility with its own terminal so the airlines can have their respective assignments for the smooth arrival and departure systems.
The governor expressed optimism that CAAP will approve the recommendation considering its exigency while waiting for the completion of the New Bohol Airport in Panglao.
In fact, the new set of apron and terminal is expected to be bigger than the existing one.
On the other hand, Provincial Administrator Alfonso Damalerio II announced the bidding of the main civil works for the implementation of the New Bohol Airport development and environment sustainability project has been set in March.
In fact, groups of Japanese investors are here to check the runway in Panglao from time to time as they intended to participate in the bidding.
The New Bohol Airport package includes components on sewerage disposal system, solid waste disposal system, and a stable waterworks system.
Damalerio, who leads the local project management team, also said the land acquisition has already been completed with just about 12 remaining lots up for final processing for barter.
The local team is just waiting for CAAP and DOTC to get the authority to enter into the barter agreement.
By Philippine News Agency
