InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5
MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III has ordered the release of P4.6 billion to beef up four priority airport projects under the administration’s public-private partnership program.
Budget chief Florencio Abad said the amount has been released to the Department of Transportation and Communications.
"The release will support the improvement or creation of more gateways into the Philippines, given the administration’s campaign to cement our position as a prime tourist and investment hub,” Abad said on Thursday.
Of the total amount, P1.64 billion will be used to rehabilitate Terminal 1 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport for structural integrity and maintenance activities.
Abad said the fund will cover the immediate repair of the terminal’s mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems, as well as the retrofitting of the overall structure.
At least P2 billion has been set aside for the New Legazpi Airport Development Project in Albay for detailed engineering of the airport’s runways and taxiways.
Amid growing traffic demand, Abad said the government has allocated P800 million for the construction of a terminal building for the Tacloban Airport.
The government also released P160 million for the Central Mindanao Airport that will serve as an access point to Central Mindanao through North Cotabato that is intended to facilitate the transport of high-value crops in and out of the region.
