DBM allots P4.6 B for airports

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has allotted P4.6 billion to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to rehabilitate Terminal 1 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and three other projects under the administration’s public-private partnership (PPP) program.

“The release will support the improvement or creation of more gateways into the Philippines given the administration’s campaign to cement our position as a prime tourist and investment hub. “The projects identified under the fund release will directly support this initiative, primarily through the much-needed rehabilitation and development of key airports across the country,” Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said yesterday.

Abad said the amount will be charged against the DOTC’s budget for Project Development Funds for Public-Private Partnership Transport Infrastructure Projects under this year’s General Appropriations Act.

A total of P1.64 billion will be used to rehabilitate NAIA 1 to restore its structural integrity and kick-start maintenance activities, which have been deferred for years.

The allocation will also be used to repair the terminal’s mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems, as well as the retrofitting of its overall structure.

Another P2 billion was allotted for the New Legazpi (Daraga) Airport Development Project, including the detailed engineering of its runways and taxiways.

Meanwhile, P800 million will be used to support Tacloban airport’s growing traffic demand, including the development of the Tacloban airport terminal building and other ancillary facilities.

A total of P160 million will cover the development of an access point to Central Mindanao via North Cotabato through the Central Mindanao Airport.

“This administration intends to fulfill its commitment to improve conditions in many of our airports through fruitful engagements with the private sector. Through the PPP program, we can make project implementation much more efficient and reform-oriented, so that the gains we make through the initiative will be sustained in the long term,” Abad said.

President Aquino earlier said the government aims to attract 10 million tourists yearly by 2016, up from four million currently, with each visitor expected to generate one job domestically.

While the country offers some of the region’s most stunning beaches and tourist spots, visitors have often been turned off by its bad travel facilities.

In October last year, the interactive website “The Guide to Sleeping in Airports” rated NAIA Terminal 1 as the world’s worst.

The ranking was based on a survey of complaints regarding safety concerns and lack of comfortable seating, rude staff and poor facilities.

After the report came out, embarrassed leaders ordered a general cleanup and upgrade of the facility, including a renovation of 16 toilets that visitors had often complained of not having any running water.

Abad, meanwhile, expressed confidence in the DOTC’s new leadership.

“We welcome the appointment of Secretary (Joseph Emilio) Abaya and trust that under his leadership, the DOTC will sustain the progress already made by Secretary (Mar) Roxas. This, together with the administration’s vigorous campaign for more transparent, accountable, and open governance, will help speed up our PPP efforts and catalyze further economic growth in the country,” Abad said. - With Iris Gonzales