DOTC assures completion of Tacloban airport

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) yesterday said the Tacloban Airport development project would be completed as scheduled amid the realignment of a portion of its budget.

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said the project that involves the construction of a new passenger terminal building in order to meet the airport’s requirements by 2016 remains on track.

Abaya issued the statement after the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) realigned a portion of its funds to the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

He clarified that the realignment of P718.752 million from the project’s budgetary allocation would not compromise the airport’s rehabilitation plan.

 â€œThe DOTC approved the realignment upon determining that it would not endanger the Tacloban Airport Development Project, and the President likewise approved the move after careful consideration of the Tacloban Airport’s needs vis-a-vis the implementation of DAP to fast-track government spending,” he said.

According to him, DBM would make the realignment once all the proper Abaya explained that the DOTC did not require the realigned amount for this year since the project is being implemented in phases.

He also assured the public that this will not delay the project.

In fact, he disclosed that the project’s ongoing airside civil works including the concreting of the apron and taxiway, as well as the completion of the shore protection are expected to be completed ahead of schedule, or by February 2014. 

On the other hand, he said the agency would bid out the detailed engineering design involving the civil works by next year.

 â€œClearly, this was not an arbitrary move by the DBM, the DOTC, or the Aquino administration.  Instead, it was part of the DAP’s larger purpose of accelerating government spending to boost the economy,” Abaya clarified.

The DOTC has embarked on major projects to renovate and expand various airports to help achieve the target of the Department of Tourism (DOT) to lure 10 millions tourists by 2016.