DOTC to spend P500 million for key infrastructure projects

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is spending close to P500 million to develop key airports and seaports nationwide to boost tourism.

The DOTC has set aside P474 million for the development of 10 provincial seaports all over the country in anticipation of increased passenger and cargo throughput and another P14 million for feasibility studies regarding the establishment of two new airports.

About P230 million would be used to improve the Port of Zamboanga in Zamboanga del Sur through the construction of new wharves as well two roll-on, roll-off ramps while P71 million would be spent for the construction of a new wharf, the installation of rubber dock fenders to accommodate bigger vessels at the Port of Masbate in Bicol.

Likewise, the DOTC is set to bid out contracts for the improvements in the ports in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan City, Ozamiz City, Albay, two ports in Roxas City and two ports in Iloilo.

A pre-bid conference is scheduled on Sept. 27 to clarify queries from interested bidders.

Meanwhile, the DOTC is also inviting consultancy firms interested to conduct a feasibility study on the possibility of developing a new airport in Camarines Sur and a master plan study for the proposed Calbayog Airport in Samar.

The approved budget for the contract of each study is about P7 million.

The move to develop an airport in San Jose, Camarines Sur came in light of the provinces’ sustained growth in tourism. In 2010, Camarines Sur overtook perennial favorites like Metro Manila, Cebu and Boracay as the top tourism destination in the country with 2.33 million tourists.

Apart from Camsur Watersports Complex and Caramoan, other popular tourist destinations in the province are the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Church in Naga, the 19th-century churches in Goa, San Jose and Sagñay. It is also famous for the beaches of Sagñay, Sabang and Pasacao.

Calbayog, meanwhile, is the biggest city in Samar Island in terms of population. As such, it is one of the commercial trade centers in Eastern Visayas.

The DOTC said consultants who wish to bid for the two projects may submit their eligibility documents on or before Sept. 14.