The heads of the national government agencies involved in the proposed multi-billion Panglao Bohol International Airport project will meet with Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Malacanang on Oct. 6. The Panglao project was earlier announced by the President to be completed by April next year. Gov. Erico Aumentado who is known for his mega projects in the province categorically and a known political leader of the President has more than often relayed Ms. Arroyo’s commitment to complete the project within her term. The latest developments revealed that due to the delayed implementation of the project, the cost overrun of the project would cost 76%, increasing the project cost to P7.5 billion as against the outlay of P4.2 billion previously approved by the National Economic Development Authority-ICC technical board. He further cited that what aggravated the problem in the sourcing of funds was the “realignment by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) of the allocation for airports under the Department of Transportation & Communication (DOTC) outlay to the Civil Aeronautics Aviation Authority (CAAP). Invited to attend the October 6 Palace meeting were DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza, MIAA GM Alfonso Cusi, DBM Secretary Rolando Andaya, PTA General Manager Mark Lapid, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, CAAP chief/PPA General Manager Oscar Sevilla, NEDA-ICC Technical Board Chairman Rolando Tungpalan and Rep. Edgar Chatto. The meeting is expected to address the problems on the airport project, particularly on the funding requirement.
