Daily TribuneDoTr-CAAP remains committed to developing safer, more efficient, and passenger-friendly airports nationwide.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon meets members of media during the inspection of Iloilo International Airport to take up the proposal for the rehabilitation, operation, maintenance, and expansion of the gateway.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF DoTR
Following the Department of Transportation’s (DoTr) commitment to developing regional airports through public-private partnerships (PPP) to boost tourism, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon announced the agency is stepping up to support the Villar Group’s Prime Asset Ventures Inc. consortium’s P21-billion proposal to refurbish and take over operations at the Iloilo International Airport.
During a Saturday inspection, Dizon assured Iloilo’s mayor and governor, “We will fast-track the current PPP proposal from the Villar Group to ensure the airport’s sustainable development and growth, which will support the city’s expansion.”
Earlier, the newly appointed DoTr chief revealed that the P21.16-billion project was currently awaiting approval from the National Economic and Development Authority.
According to Dizon, the multi-billion-peso rehab of the Western Visayas gateway includes expanding the capacity of the Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) with the necessary facilities as per the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to accommodate passengers; the construction of an apron adjacent to the new PTB extension; renovation/maintenance of the existing terminal building; installation of the required equipment for the passenger services in the new PTB; and operation and maintenance of the passenger terminal buildings and equipment/facilities in the PTBs during the entire concession period.
Further, Dizon reaffirmed his agency’s and CAAP’s commitment to enhancing the regional airport groundwork.
“DoTr-CAAP remains committed to developing safer, more efficient and passenger-friendly airports nationwide, reinforcing the role of regional aviation hubs in fostering economic progress and connectivity,” he said.
From Iloilo, the DoTr team flew to Bohol to inspect the modernization of the Bohol-Panglao International Airport which is operated by Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc.
After the airport, Dizon and Philippine Ports Authority General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago inspected the Visayas Container Terminal (VCT) run by the International Container Terminal Services Inc. under a concession agreement.
Aside from the VCT, the PPA is currently initiating port development projects in Western Visayas, namely, the construction of a crane railway and installation of a quay crane at the Iloilo Commercial Port Complex; the construction of a cruise ship port in Buruanga, Aklan; the Alegria Port Development Project, among other port infrastructure projects.
In Bohol, PPA has various port projects, including the expansion of the Port of Tagbilaran, Port of Jagna, and Port of Tapal.
Another project will be implemented in Loon, namely, the expansion of the cruise ship port in Catagbacan, Loon Bohol.
The DoTr team then flew to Cebu and had a meeting with local government officials on some transportation projects in the province.
