Friday, February 8, 2013

DOTC OKs grant for Marinduque Airport but Capitol still pushing for loan for same project despite protests


With three months to go before the national and local elections, and even as the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has approved a P100-M grant for development of airports that include the Marinduque Airport (see article below), the administration of Gov. Carmencita O. Reyes is still pushing for a term loan with Philippine National Bank (PNB), for the very same project for which P100-M has been earmarked.

In Resolution No. 865 series 2013 the Sangguniang Panlalawigan reaffirmed the intention of the Provincial Government to pursue the loan "notwithstanding the objection of some sectors".
It will be recalled that in October last year the Marinduque NGO, Marinduque First Saturday Movers (Marinduque Movers), protested the loan proposal through a resolution. The said resolution stated that "the flip-flopping SP Resolution only shows how the proponent of the loan (Provincial Government of Marinduque), has no clear idea on the exact amount they need and it follows that they do not have, again, a clear idea on what projects are to be undertaken". The group added that "the repair of airport runway is a national government concern and repairs should be undertaken by the DOTC and not by the Local Government. Read

In an article published in this blog in November last year, the DOTC confirmed to Cong. Lord Allan Velasco, its fund allocation for the development of the Marinduque Airport with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), appropriating separate funds to complete the project. The project involves the concreting of the asphalted portion of the runway measuring 636 meters in length and 30 meters in width. Read

The municipal council of Gasan has likewise earlier opposed the loan stating it will aggravate the province's financial situation and stressing that the loan "has no clear program of works and the timing of the loan is suspect". 


Copy of Resolution No. 865 series 2013 "Reaffirming the intention of the Provincial Government of Marinduque to avail the Loan with the Philippine National Bank (PNB) as expressed in Resolution No. 762 s. 2012/Provincial Ordinance No. 102 s. 2012, notwithstanding the objection of some sectors"

DOTC OKs P100-M grant to include development of Marinduque Airport


BOAC, Marinduque, Feb. 6 (PIA) -- The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) recently approved a P100-million grant for airport development projects in the provinces of Marinduque and Southern Leyte along with seaport development projects in Aklan and Camarines Norte.

DOTC announced that these projects of upgrading and improving airports and seaports will help meet the government’s goal in providing Convenient, Affordable, Reliable, Efficient and Safe (CARES) air transport system as well as will cater for the anticipated increase in local and international visitors in the said provinces.

The construction on parts of the Marinduque airport runway have been experiencing delays since last year and an airline company even threatened to stop its operation due to the runway’s condition.

According to DOTC, the Marinduque Airport will entail around P29.1 million in concreting its runway which has a length of 636 meters and width of 30 meters.

There will be a pre-bid conference on Feb. 11 and the actual deadline of submission and opening of bids will be on Feb. 28. DOTC invites interested parties in an open and transparent bid process for the airports and seaports development projects.(LBR/MNL-PIA4B, Marinduque)