by Misael | May 23, 2008 | National News
King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Swaziland will arrive in Manila for a two-day state visit — the first by a Swazi King.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is scheduled to meet the King to discuss new areas of cooperation, particularly in the fields of trade and higher education, as well as initiatives in the international arena.
The state visit is expected to yield agreements on economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation, and lead to the establishment of a bilateral consultative mechanism between the Philippines and Swaziland.
Prior to his arrival in Manila, King Mswati will travel to Cebu and Bohol on a private visit. (PIA/Bohol)
by Misael | May 23, 2008 | Headlines
PANGLAO ISLAND,BOHOL–President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo called on all political leaders to support government efforts in tackling the twin global challenges of spiralling oil prices and food shortage.
In her opening statement at the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Cabinet group meeting at the Garden Square of the Panglao Island Nature Resort and Spa in the world-famous Panglao Island, the President stressed that too much politicking would not help solve the problem on oil and food.
”We have much to do to bring affordable food, energy and power to our people. I call on all our leaders to help us in this urgent task, and leave the politicking for 2010,” the President said.
The President added that the people are now feeling the impact of rising oil and food prices and the government continues to implement mitigating measures to ease the burden.
Thus, she called on those who take advantage of the situation to stop and instead help government in its efforts.
”Let us give priority to food, livelihood and the basic needs of our people,” the President said adding that she remains focused in improving the lives of the people, unmindful of political bickerings.
”(Politicking) will not bring food on the table, affordable electricity and transport fare,” she said. (PIA)
by Misael | May 23, 2008 | Features
PANGLAO ISLAND, Bohol – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo launched the construction of the P4.17-billion Panglao-Bohol International Airport here to boost the tourism and trade potentials of this world-class destination province.
The President led the capsule-laying ceremony in Barangay Tawala assisted by Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Alfonso Cusi, Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado, and Panglao Mayor Benedicto Alcala.
After the capsule-laying, the President was briefed by Cusi on the status of the project funded through MIAA’s P3-billion income and P1 billion from the DOTC.
Cusi informed the President that the international airport is targeted to be operational in the first quarter of 2010 and can accommodate one million passengers per year.
The President said no foreign loans were sourced in the construction of the Panglao International Airport as government revenue agencies have consistently exceeded their targets these past few years.
Upon completion of the project, the President said foreign tourists can now come directly and visit the famous destinations in Bohol that include the Chocolate Hills, a candidate in the Internet search for the New Seven Wonders of Nature, and Balicasag Island, a popular breathtaking dive site which she herself had a look.
The President said Bohol, the tenth largest island of the Philippines, is one of the tourism centers of the country. Located in the heart of the Visayas, it is famous for the tarsier, the world’s smallest primate; pristine beaches and dive spots, caves and crystal springs, ancestral homes, and centuries-old churches.
In an earlier interview, Cusi and Mendoza said the Panglao International Airport would not only cater to tourists and cargo but is expected to boost trade, investments and economic activity in Bohol as it would be a magnet for industrial parks and economic zones.
AMID CRITICISMS
The multi-billion key infrastructure project also merited a good number of critics, one which is led by University of the Philippines Professor of Economics Ernesto Pernia and long-time airport critic and former Panglao Municipal Tourism Committee Chairman Agustin Cloribel.
Working against time in efforts to at least stall or scrap the project, Boholanos for Truth, Accountability and Reform (BOTAR) posted a paid ad in a local paper daring the provincial leaders to clarify issues involving the project.
Questions raised against the plan are its economic viability, serious environmental concerns, perceived corruption and dirty politics.
Governor Aumentado however shrugged off all these assuring that everything has been in order and that the government is doing its best to put up mitigations to outweigh the environmental issues against the economic and social benefits Bohol and the entire region can get from it. (rachiu/PIA)
by Misael | May 20, 2008 | Headlines
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)
by Misael | May 20, 2008 | Headlines
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)
