March 24, 2008 [Manila Bulletin Online ]
By JUNE S. BLANCO
The meeting of Gov. Erico Aumentado with President Gloria Arroyo was successful as they ironed out the last kink in the implementation of the Panglao-Bohol International Airport Development Project (PBIADP).
Aumentado said President Arroyo was responsible for the immediate release of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) Memorandum Circular designating the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) as the lead implementing agency of the PBIADP.
Signed by DoTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza, the circular was addressed to MIAA and all the officials and personnel of DoTC-Central Office, sectoral offices and attached agencies and corporations.
It said in view of the fact that the implementation of the PBIADP is a priority project of the present administration, and in order to effectively carry out the said project in a smooth and timely manner, the MIAA, as principal funder of the project, is hereby authorized to pursue the same and is designated as the lead implementing agency thereof.
In an earlier letter to President Arroyo, Aumentado sought the designation of MIAA as the lead agency to implement the project.
He said MIAA has committed to put in P3 billion in corporate funds for the project.
As such, it is but fitting and proper that MIAA pursues, implements, supervises, operates and controls the project for it to recoup its investment, Aumentado explained.
His letter was supported by a resolution of the Panglao Island Tourism Estate Inter-Agency Task Force (PITE-IATF) during a recent meeting held at the Panglao Island Nature Resort (PINR) in Barangay Bingag in Dauis town.
To note, Presidential Memorandum Order (MO) No. 178-A, series of 2006, signed by President Arroyo, put the management, administration and maintenance of the Panglao Tourism Special Infrastructure Program (PTSIP) under the DoTC.
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