Open for bids: P160-M projects in Palawan, Kalibo, Tawi-Tawi airports

MANILA, Philippines – Civil works on 3 airports — San Vicente in Palawan,  Kalibo in Aklan, and Sanga-Sanga in Tawi-Tawi — were put on the auction block on Monday, August 6.

In a published invitation to bid, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) said the airport projects, including mostly airside development and terminal facilities improvements, have an aggregate value of about P160 million.

The projects are as follows:

• San Vicente airport in western Palawan – P72.35 million to complete the runway (extension, concrete paving, and hill obstruction removal), and the construction of vehicular parking area, perimeter fence, and pedestrian and vehicular gates
• Kalibo International Airport Development Project – P59.49 million to complete the runway’s asphalt overlay, concrete paving of apron expansion with taxiway, and construction of security fence. Kalibo is currently one of the two gateways to Boracay, a tourist haven. The facility currently ranks 7th in the list of busiest airports in terms of passenger traffic. In 2010, it serviced a total of 1,005,845 passengers.
• Sanga-Sanga Airport in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi – P29 million worth for the construction of vehicular parking area, drainage system, and perimeter and security fences

“These airport development projects are in support of the huge potential of tourism in the country’s economy, and in the more important goal of creating jobs and livelihood opportunities for the people,” the DOTC said.  

The Aquino government hopes to increase tourist arrivals to 6 million in 2016 from the 4.2 million target in 2012.

Almost all tourists arrive by air in the Philippines, an archipelago of over 7,100 islands in the Far East. Since congestion is experienced at the Manila airport, which is currently the main gateway to the country, other airports in other parts of the country positioning as tourist destinations are being developed. – Rappler.com