THE Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) are working on a P1-billion funding to be used for upgrading airports with night-rating capabilities.
During a conference, the Tourism secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and Transportation secretary Arthur Tugade signed a memorandum of agreement called iLiPAD or the “Institutionalized Leveraging of Infrastructure Program for Airport Development.”
The accord aims to synchronize both department’s efforts to boost airport and route development programs.
Puyat announced in her opening remarks that the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) —the implementing agency and infrastructure arm of the DOTr —is working with the DOTr on the possibility of funding several airports in the country to equip them with night-rating capabilities.
“Funding amounting to P1 billion is set for approval by the TIEZA Board in their next board meeting. We must make sure that it’s not only more fun in the Philippines, but much safer too,” Puyat said.
Tugade expressed full support and commitment to work with the DOT.
“I would like to thank the Department of Tourism. This gesture is very encouraging, because believe it or not, the capacity of all commercially-operating airports in the Philippines has and have to be night-rated in order that they make sense and the efficiency desired can be achieved,” he said.
Puyat said that the iLiPAD leverages on the existing convergence between DOT and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for tourism roads and the DPWH-DOTr for access roads to airports and partnerships with other agencies and sectors.
The convergence program is an implementation of Section 34 of RA 9593 or the Tourism Act of 2009 and the National Tourism Development Program for 2016-2022.
The Tourism chief cited the DOT’s partnership with the DOTr and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines in facilitating the construction of new airports such as the Mactan-Cebu International Airport and the Bohol-Panglao International Airport.
Puyat also cited the near completion of a new terminal at the Clark
International Airport.
In line with the Duterte Administration’s Build, Build, Build Program and as
part of efforts to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Puyat said
in the works are the construction of a new international airport in Daraga,
Albay, as well as the expansion plans for Davao, Iloilo, Kalibo, Puerto
Princesa and Laguindingan international airports. (GMA News)
