Aumentado: No vested interest in bid for New Bohol Airport

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — Representative Erico Aumentado (2nd district, Bohol) denied allegations that had vested interests for pushing the implementation of New Bohol Airport project in Panglao island.

The former governor and now congressman wrote President Noynoy Aquino to say that he even has no single square inch of land in that island, as he belied accusations from some officials, which in turn caused hesitations from the national government to go for the project.

Aumentado attached the certifications of the Panglao and Dauis municipal assessors with his letter to prove that he doesn't have "even a square inch of land in Panglao Island", contrary to the reports reaching Malacañang.

"However, I cannot deny that some officials in Bohol may have properties in Panglao Island such as Mayor Roberto Cajes, Rep. Rene Relampagos and Gov. Edgar Chatto because they have interests therein. Mayor Cajes has a beach resort, Rep. Relampagos has a Coca-Cola products distribution warehouse in Dauis and Gov. Chatto is an heir of the Migriño clan which has big landholdings in Dauis. Rep. Arthur Yap's in-laws and former governor Victor dela Serna have properties in Panglao also which they acquired long before your beloved mother was in power, and former Gov. Constancio Torralba whose wife is from Dauis town," Aumentado said in his letter to the president.

Aumentado said it was one of Aquino's trusted men who told Liberal Party's 2010 mayoralty candidate in Trinidad town, Florencio Flores Jr., about the concern. Flores then relayed the information to Aumentado.

"May I respectfully and earnestly inform Your Excellency that the Boholano people and I know the meaning of gratitude. We crossed lines to support the administration which has done so much development for our beloved province. Sec. Mar Roxas can tell you that I supported him in all his elections," Aumentado said.

The congressman also reiterated the bases for experts to recommend for the transfer of the present Tagbilaran Airport to Panglao Island, citing the move's strategic importance to tourism and business in Bohol.

"It is not only more economical than improving the Tagbilaran Airport, but more importantly, the New Bohol Airport is in line with the global trend of bringing tourists in by air to the nearest destination. (Besides) Panglao Island is the crown jewel of the province's tourism industry," he said.

"Panglao Island has the generally flat topography and soil formation similar to that of Mactan Island which is hosting the Mactan Cebu International Airport. The MCIA accommodates the bigger B-747s and even the A-380s," Aumentado added. - THE FREEMAN