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.
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