by anyajulia | Aug 20, 2008 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
Governor Erico Aumentado and Congressman Edgar Chatto unite to finally end the problem of drinking water in Panglao near the construction site of the future Bohol International Airport. The two officials, together with the local government unit of Panglao, are deciding on what company should handle the water in the area since in the near future more water will be needed due to the International Airport that will be built.
Aumentado says that there will be a consultation this coming September 5 in regards to the water problem. The Governor adds that this problem should be immediately solved so that the technical works can start since the construction of the airport will follow this December.
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)
