Airport Improvements Dumaguete

PresidentGloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the Air Transportation Office (ATO) to take the lead in fast tracking the improvement of the Dumaguete airport situated in Sibulan town.

The Dumaguete airport forms part of the infrastructure projects under the "Super Regions."

Dumaguete airport Manager Veronica Chuang said there are currently three projects done at the airport and these are asphalt overlay, rehabilitation of runway lights, and the renovation of the airport terminal building.

The asphalt overlay and renovation of the terminal building is done under the auspices of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) while the rehabilitation of runway lights is under the Land Transportation Office.

The runway lights project, Chuang explained, has been allocated with about P74 million from the P22.6 billion allotted last year.

The installation of the runway lights, begun on December 26, 2007, is nearly finished and is seen to end this month.

The work on the asphalt overlay is jointly undertaken by the Uy-Condev Construction and Vesa Construction.

President Arroyo said in her letter to top ATO officials that the airport, which is part of her administration's "super regions," will eventually help sustain growth that has been weighing heavily on two of the economy's key drivers -- exports and remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Arroyo has asked the budget department to coordinate with the implementing agencies for the prompt release of funds for the "super regions" projects.

Currently, the Pro-Performance System and the Procurement Transparency group formed in September 2007 have started monitoring, releasing advisories, and remedial action for projects that encounter problems.

Malacañang has allotted P156.6 billion for infrastructure spending this year, or more than P22.6 billion allotted last year.

The country posted a 7.5 percent economic growth in the last quarter of 2007, though both local and foreign analysts have warned against over dependence on OFW remittances, which make the country even more vulnerable to the fortunes of host economies.