Written By Bingo P. Dejaresco III
The Bohol Chronicle, Editor
A group of Concerned Boholanos in the province and Metro Manila has sought a multi-sectoral dialogue with the Provincial Government with respect to the proposed New Panglao Airport facility.
The airport project, a medium term priority project of the National Government, is set for ground breaking by President GMA this month with the airport construction set for the month of July 2008.
The Group feels that Government should put all cards on the table before proceeding on the project - for the enlightenment of all sectors - because the huge project has tremendous long-term economic, social, ecological and geographic impact on Bohol.
In a statement of "Appeal for Clarification" appearing somewhere in this issue, the Group points out that the Panglao Airport project should be consistent with the Provincial Government's "philosophy of eco-tourism and balanced development."
The P4-billion Panglao airport project, under the implementing arm of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), was once reported to be funded by DOTC advances (as counterpart Filipino funding to a Japanese subsidized loan) to be charged against long-term receivables of Taipan Lucio Tan, whose giant airlines (PAL) utilizes part the NAIA international airport and terminal.
Dr. Ernesto Pernia, former Lead Economist of the Asian Develoment Bank (ADB) and Professor of Economics of the University of the Philippines thinks there is still time to "pause and analyze" the airport project instead of rushing head-on into the humongous investment with many things still kept in the dark.
A "cost benefit" analysis of the project - considering the huge outlay of P4 billion - must be measured against alternative uses of the funds to boost agricultural productivity, education and other basic concerns appeared to be in order, he was quoted.
Dr. Pernia shares the view that the Mactan International Airport is currently underutilized and therefore the Panglao airport with international capabilities will be an investment in redundancy. "It can result in two under-utilized international airports," the Economics Professor said.
Dr. Pernia instead suggested the possibility of perhaps building a small wharf in Mactan Island specifically to ferry out tourists and visitors straight to Bohol's various ports of entry. "That will cut travel time going to Cebu City and its traffic and waiting for the vessels to depart. The quick route and the sea travel can be part of the tourist attraction as well."
It may be recalled that as early as 30 years ago, there was already a foreseen need for a better domestic airport.
The servicing of that need could skirt the Tagbilaran City airport geographic limitations by possibly transferring the domestic airport to Cortes or Antequera which are near the city, according to the former chief economist of the multinational bank.
There appears to be an apparent need for the Provincial Government to explain more thoroughly to the public at large the scale of the airport, the long-term implications on the resources like water and power and why the seeming urgency in putting up the facility, it was observed.
On the other hand, Dr. Pernia opined that the massive airport build-up right in the center of a relatively small island like Panglao may not be ecologically sound with the sonic boom, fuel risks and the like. He sees the need to take a harder look at the impact of such an infrastructure and the overall development thereafter over the treasured biodiversity of the island tourist-jewel.
To this date, Panglao does not have adequate supply of potable water and the many of the resorts still violate the 20-meter "salvage" zone restrictions. The U.P. professor remarked that the provincial government had anchored its growth on the parallel goal of protecting the environment, per the government's own pronouncements. "The government must be consistent there," he qualified.
Pernia cautioned that there is no "rush" to establish a large-scale airport now and hinted of "Phases" in setting up the airport - considering that Filipinos are still direly lacking in other basic needs like food, medicine and shelter.
Dr. Pernia appeared perplexed at the apparent mushrooming of "international airports" like those in Davao and Iloilo and cautioned there could be a tourism slowdown in the next three years due to the world economy facing high oil prices and an impending USA recession.
The appeal for a dialogue with Government in order to cover all bases was met by enthusiastic support by leading Boholano leaders and academicians as shown by the list of signatories to the appeal.
Aside from Dr. Pernia, those who signed the "Appeal for Clarification" in Manila included: Dr. Jose V. Abueva, former President of the University of the Philippines, Napoleon V. Abueva, national artist, Dr. Caesar Saloma, professor of physics, UP; Atty. Hernan Cimafranca, Assistant Government Corporate Counsel, Atty Dionisio de la Serna, former Chairman HUDCC, Sister Bernadette Oppus, SSps-Administrator of the Lourdes Hospital , Dr Raul Fabella, and Dr Ramon Clarete, both professors of economics of the U.P.
The move is supported by the 'Boholanos for Truth, Transparency and Reform" made up of more than 1,000 leaders of various groups and individuals.
Among those who support the "Panglao Airport" dialogue are Businessman-entrepreneur Fred Ong, Monsgr. Feliciano Jr. (parish priest, Taloto Parish), Atty. Isabelo Sales (IBP-Tagbilaran City), Atty. Raul Barbarona (Bangon-Code NGO), Monsgr. Robesfierre Moreno (vicar general - Iglesia Pilipina Independencia), Pastor Gaudencio Antipuesto (Tagbilaran Evangelical Association of Ministers), Pastor Fely Benchavez (United Church of Christ of the Phils.), former Governor Rene Relampagos (business sector), Engr. Nilo Sarigumba (Bacosh), Chito Castillo (business sector);
Maya Flores (youth sector) Alberto Sanvictores (business sector), Engr. Vicente Loquellano (National Anti-Poverty) and Fe Tocmo (womens group-Tagbilaran City).
Other members of the "Boholanos for Truth, Transparency and Reform" are found in the "Appeal" announcement in this issue.
AIRPORT - CAPITOL
This proposed Panglao Bohol International Airport has been scrutinized and studied by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) over the years, according to Gov. Erico Aumentado when asked by the Chronicle.
He said that a research study conducted by HNU Poll showed that 99% of the residents in the province favored the construction of the new airport.
He expressed confidence that ecological impact of the proposed airport has already been conducted extensively years before.
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