THE bidding for the upgrading of the Ubay Airport in Bohol is set early next year after evaluation of the plan, detailed engineering design and program of works are done.
Rep. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado of the Second District of Bohol said Capt. Jim Sydiongco, director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) and his deputies, told him of this update in a recent meeting at the latter’s office.
Sydiongco said he required the posting of the bid details in the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System for the bidding to push through early next year.
At P66 million, the final design that increases the existing runway will be widened and the length will be increased from 400 meters to 1.5 kilometers, with terminal building equipped with the standard 5,000-gallon capacity elevated water tank. The “modest” terminal building costs P10 million.
Aumentado expressed gratitude to President Duterte, Cabinet Secretary Leoncio B. Evasco Jr. and Transportation Undersecretary Arturo M. Evangelista for their support of the project.
Aumentado also expressed elation over the Caap’s upgrading of the Ubay Airport, this being the request of his namesake father and immediate congressional predecessor, Rep. Erico B. Aumentado. The funds materialized following his consistent follow-ups, including the filing of House Bill 5889 seeking to improve the Ubay Airport and requesting funds for the purpose.
He said the House Transportation Committee chaired by Rep. Cesar V. Sarmiento of the Lone District of Catanduanes helped him arrange to outsource the same from the Caap general fund.
The explanatory note said the improvement of the airport will be in preparation for the feeder of the Panglao Airport in Bohol and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, flying school hub in the Central Visayas in the near future and even commercial flights.
To note, the Cebu flying schools signified their intention of transferring to Ubay as soon as the extension and expansion are done and ready to use.
The solon waxed sentimental when he said the project would be another dream come true for his father.
The elder Aumentado had been a “dreamer” who was able to implement mega projects, among them, the Bohol Circumferential Road Improvement Project Phases 1 and 2, the Leyte-Bohol Interconnection Project Stages 1 and 2 and the Bohol Irrigation Project Phases 1 and 2.
He envisioned more infrastructure for his province, including a flying school and even a commercial airport for smaller planes on the other end of Bohol, opposite Tagbilaran City, on the fist-shaped island, and a bridge to link Bohol and Cebu.
After realizing his earlier dreams, the younger Aumentado is now carrying on the effort to see his father’s dreams come true.
The elder Aumentado passed on the Christmas Day of 2012.