ILOILO CITY (PIA) – Department of Transportation officials visited the Iloilo International Airport and the Visayas Container Terminal to assess ongoing infrastructure developments in the region.
Transportation Secretary Vivencio “Vince” Dizon, along with Philippine Ports Authority General Manager Jay Santiago and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Director General Raul Del Rosario, led the DOTr team in the inspection of the transportation infrastructures.
“We have to fix it [Iloilo International Airport] immediately. I think Iloilo is one of the fastest, if not the fastest, growing cities in the country. And the most important asset of Iloilo is this international airport,” the DOTr chief noted.
He also assured local officials that the public-private-partnership proposal of the airport with Prime Asset Ventures Inc. would be fast-tracked “in order to ensure the sustainable development of the airport and support the growth of the city.”
According to Dizon, the PPP proposal is targeted to be completed within the year. Meanwhile, a P190 million fund was assured by the secretary, under CAAP, to implement the necessary repairs and rehabilitation of the airport.
Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. also favored the privatization of the airport’s operations as this would mean speedy implementation of developments and needed repairs of its facilities and equipment.
“It’s better operated by the private sector because they can move faster than us. Halimbawa lang, especially if you have a good operator, nga madasig ‘ya magkay-o sang facilities ang private sector. Unlike the government nga damo pa ang proseso,” Defensor underscored. (It’s better operated by the private sector because they can move faster than us. For example, especially if you have a good operator, that is faster in repairing facilities. Unlike the government that entails a lot of process.)
The local chief executive also added that he has been suggesting for the airport terminal to be a “terminal mall” where he envisioned totally changing the nature of a terminal, embodying Ilonggo culture and removing the stress of travel among passengers.
Following the airport visit, Dizon proceeded to the Visayas Container Terminal, a crucial hub for maritime trade in the region, which is under a concession agreement with International Container Terminal Services Inc. and the PPA.
“We want to see how it is because I heard, since the privatization, andami na pong mga improvements. Dati walang halos laman yung container port na ‘yan. Pero ngayon dagsa-dagsa na pagpasok ng mga container ships. So, that is another sign that privatization really works,” Dizon added, noting that they wanted to replicate the success of the project with other ports in the country. (We want to see how it is because I heard, since the privatization, there have been a lot of improvements. That container port used to be almost empty. But now container ships are arriving in droves. So, that is another sign that privatization really works.)
Meanwhile, Santiago welcomed Defensor’s suggestion to establish a new container port that would cater to local demands as the VCT, in due time, will purely cater to foreign or international cargoes.
“Upon the instruction of Sec. Dizon, naatasan po ang PPA para mag-inspect ng possible sites. Kailangan po nating maglagay at magtayo ng domestic cargo terminal,” Santiago said. (Upon the instruction of Sec. Dizon, the PPA was assigned to inspect possible sites. We need to locate and build a domestic cargo terminal.)
Under the PPA, major port development projects in the region include the construction of a crane railway and installation of a quay crane used to load and unload containers at the Iloilo Commercial Port Complex, construction of a cruise ship port in Buruanga, Aklan, and the Alegria Port Development Project also in Aklan. (AAL/FRG/PIA6)
