THE Transportation department said it has started the procurement process for the eventual expansion of airports in Vigan, Baler, Roxas City, and Virac.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), an arm of the Department of Transportation (DoTr), issued a shortlist on June 6 for a survey contract preliminary to the expansion of Vigan Airport in Ilocos Sur, according to documents posted on the agency’s website.
The CAAP has also started inviting bids for consultancy services to appraise the land and improvements, including crops and trees, ahead of the expansion of Baler Airport in Aurora.
A shortlist was also issued in June for a survey contract ahead of the extension and expansion of Roxas Airport in Capiz.
Bids were also sought for survey services to extend and expand Virac Airport in Catanduanes.
The DoTr said in June that 250 airport projects were completed under the Duterte administration.
The completed projects include the new passenger terminal at Clark International Airport, the new Bicol International Airport, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Bohol-Panglao International Airport, Puerto Princesa International Airport, Zamboanga International Airport, Catarman Airport, Calbayog Airport, Siquijor Airport, General Santos Airport, and Ormoc Airport.
“Other notable projects for the country’s aviation and airports include the establishment of the long-delayed Communications, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management, as well as the night-rating of 23 commercial airports,” it said.
New Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista has said the department “will focus our efforts at moving passengers and goods that use our roads, airports, seaports, and railways.”
“As discussed during my initial meeting with President (Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.), we will transform the Philippine transport industry and elevate it to global standards,” he said in a recent statement.
He said he plans to continue the Build, Build, Build program initiated by the previous administration. — Arjay L. Balinbin