‘BUILD, BUILD, BUILD’. Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade (right), together with Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) director general Jim Sydiongco, speaks to reporters at the Dumaguete-Sibulan airport on Thursday (March 11, 2021). He said the proposed airport project in Bacong, Negros Oriental would push through as planned. (Photo by Judy Flores Partlow)
DUMAGUETE CITY – Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on Thursday said the proposed airport project in Bacong, Negros Oriental would push through as planned.
Tugade spoke to reporters at the Dumaguete-Sibulan airport hours before the arrival of President Rodrigo Duterte here to lead the inauguration of two projects backed by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
“Yung sinasabing feasibility study at plano upang magkaroon ng paliparan, ginagawa at tinatapos (The feasibility study and plan for that airport are now being finalized),” he said in response to queries on whether the proposed new airport project has been shelved.
Tugade, however, did not give a definite timeline for the project.
Other concerns, such as the right of way, are being addressed, he said, adding that Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) director general, Jim Sydiongco, wants to break ground for the project by next year.
Tugade also said the administration is implementing “Build, Build, Build” projects in Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao, and does not favor any particular area.
“Si Presidente Duterte, hindi siya presidente sa Central Luzon lang, presidente siya ng pangkalahatan at pangkabuohang Pilipinas (President Duterte is not just the president of Central Luzon but the entire Philippines),” he said.
He cited as an example the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), under which more than 300 projects are being implemented nationwide.
“Malaking bahagi diyan ay sa Visayas (A big portion of that is in the Visayas),” he said.
The President led the inauguration of the Dumaguete-Sibulan airport rehabilitation project that includes the re-blocking of the apron, construction of two taxiways, expansion of the existing passenger terminal building, runway asphalt overlay and shoulder grade correction, and expansion of the CAAP Administrative Building.
These improvements have upgraded the airport’s capability to accommodate heavier aircraft and have increased the terminal’s passenger capacity from 330 to 450 people.
Duterte also proceeded to the city seaport for the inauguration of the newly constructed two-story Port Operations Building. Its new passenger terminal could now accommodate about 500 people.
These projects are the Duterte administration’s response to “make the Filipino life convenient and comfortable” and to make travel easier for locals and tourists alike, Tugade said. (PNA)
