TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — Gov. Erico Aumentado said Bohol is gearing up for the construction of multi-billion infrastructure project that is also meant to help boost the province’s tourism program.
Aumentado said the construction of the proposed P4.2-billion Panglao International Airport will surely help bring about increased economic opportunities in the province with the expected inflow of more tourists and other local visitors.
The bidding for the international airport project will begin in July with the first phase of the facility expected to be ready by April 2010.
The first phase consists of the construction of 2.5 kilometer runway with allied facilities, said Aumentado.
The second phase consists of the construction of terminal building and allied facilities and possibly the extension of the runway to 3.8 kilometers.
"President Arroyo wants the project finished within her term and the entire Boholano community will be happy that we will be having our international airport in 2010," said Aumentado.
The ground-breaking ceremonies will be held on May 8.
Aside from the Philippine Airlines, Aumentado said he has already received the commitment of Korean Airlines for a direct flight from Korea to Panglao Island as he stressed that more airlines have expressed their interests in flying direct to the province.
Department of Tourism (DoT) Regional Director Pat Roa agreed with Aumentado on the availability of flights to and from the proposed international airport, saying a lot of airlines had asked if Bohol has an international airport.
"If only the current airport in Tagbilaran City can accommodate a 747 airplane, it could have opened many chartered flights to Bohol," said Roa.
President Arroyo signed Memo Order No. 282 which mandates that Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), being the principal fund source of the airport project, should assume full control in the construction, operation and maintenance of the proposed airport.
Same memo mandates that the project has the clearance by the Commission on Audit to implement the corporate fund intended for the completion of the project. The latest memorandum signed by the President provides a support for the implementation of Executive Order 341 which gives MIAA the authority to exercise control over all airport projects in the country.
In order to signal the commencement of the airport project, the President will be arriving here on May 8 for the laying of the "time capsule" right at the proposed site which is in Central Panglao island.
The airport will be built on a 211-hectare property. Of the 211 hectares, 162 hectares had already paid off, 21 hectares were bartered with other lots while three hectares may be expropriated by the government.
The new airport traverses four barangays, namely, Lourdes, Bolod, Tawala and Danao in Panglao town.
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