DoTC gets P4.6B to build, refurbish airports

The construction and refurbishment of key airports across the country has been provided P4.6 billion in fresh funds amid Malacañang’s efforts to advance the public-private partnership program.

Budget Secretary Florencio B. Abad on Thursday said in a statement the amount was released to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) for the implementation of four PPP projects.

Of the amount, P2 billion is earmarked for the detailed engineering of the runways and taxiways at the New Legazpi Airport in Daraga, Albay.

Also, P1.64 billion is meant for the resumption of the repairs and maintenance activities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s Terminal 1.

This will cover the immediate repair of Naia 1’s mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems, as well as the retrofitting of the overall structure.

Further, P800 million has been set aside for the Tacloban Airport’s terminal building and other ancillary facilities, to support growing passenger traffic.

Moreover, P160 million will be used for the Central Mindanao Airport in North Cotabato to help ease the transport of high-value crops in and out of the region.

“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,” Abad said.

“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,” he added.

The budget chief also expressed confidence in newly installed DoTC Secretary Joseph Abaya following the reassignment of Mar Roxas to the Department of the Interior and Local Government in lieu of Jesse Robredo who passed away last August.

“We welcome the appointment of Secretary Abaya. We trust that his leadership will help speed up our PPP efforts and catalyze further economic growth in the country,” Abad said.