P2.5B ALLOCATED FOR UPGRADING PROVINCIAL AIRPORTS

P2.5 billion allocated to DoTr for provincial airports upgrade

To boost air travel, the Department of Transportation is investing P2.5 billion to upgrade three airports to accommodate more flights and passengers, Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr. said in August.

This developed as the Baguio City government aims to resume commercial operations of the Loakan Airport for the Christmas season, following discussions with top officials in the aviation industry.

Under the DOTr’s aviation infrastructure program in the 2023 national budget, Tacloban City’s Daniel Romualdez Airport would receive the bulk of the new funding at P1.42 billion, said Campos, the House appropriations committee vice chairperson.

Antique’s Evelio Javier Airport would receive P500 million, while the Laoag International Airport would get P445 million, he added.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines designates Tacloban City Airport as a principal class 1 domestic airport, Laoag International as a secondary/alternate international airport, and Antique Airport as a principal class 2 domestic airport.

Meanwhile, Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the CAAP is set to spend some P68 million for the rehabilitation of the aviation facility.

“They’re allotting P68 million for the rehabilitation of the terminal, so they are rushing to finish it by November, because (Transportation) Secretary Jaime Bautista asked me what’s my recommendation when to open it,” he said.

“I said if we can avail of the Christmas season, that would be in the fourth quarter of this year, then (Bautista) said, ‘Okay, let’s go for November’,” Magalong added.

The rehabilitation of Loakan Airport will include the improvement of the instrument landing system (ILS), along with the extension of the runway by 100 meters.

Magalong said the rehab work will also address the drainage issues, and remove the obstructions from the airport, with structures along the vicinity set to be demolished.

The mayor said some of the residents have already received two notices to vacate the area, as the Loakan Airport has a 150-meter buffer zone.

Prior to the pandemic, diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. said it would submit an unsolicited proposal to rehabilitate and reopen the Loakan Airport to commercial flights.

Meanwhile, Campos said the Bukidnon Airport, which is projected to commence commercial operations in 2023, shall have P80 million, while the Ninoy Aquino International Airport would receive P43 million. “We are all for increased spending to build up our aviation infrastructure across all regions,” he said.

Makati Rep. Luis Campos (left) and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.

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ADVISORY PANEL FORMED TO IRON OUT POLICIES IN ENERGY SECTOR

Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Raphael Lotilla has announced that the agency has formed a law and energy advisory panel that will address the challenges and bottlenecks in the regulatory framework in the energy sector.

In a virtual press conference, Lotilla said DOE has pooled senior legal advisers, which include retired Chief Justices Artemio Panganiban and Reynato Puno who will serve as private citizens and will not assume any public office.

Legal advisors from the private sector are also joining the advisory group, he added.

“The functions of the law and energy advisory panel include advising the department on various energy-related reform initiatives and legal matters, including promotion of indigenous as well as low-carbon sources,” the DOE chief said.

Lotilla said for the initial discussions of the panel, the legal advisors will tackle legal matters in the upstream oil and gas sector in general and the Malampaya-Camago project.

Earlier, Lotilla said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. directed the agency to ensure a certain, stable, and clear regulatory framework to address uncertainties in the legal environment for investments in the upstream industry and also to create a better investment climate.

“In order to attract sufficient investment for that, we need to be able to clearly indicate what are the policies of the government… These are the things that have motivated the department, particularly myself, to benefit from the wisdom and experience of our senior legal advisers.”

“Because whatever we are going to propose to the President and Congress will have fundamental effects on the lives of our people not only (in) the present but also in future generations,” he said.

Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla