(Negosyo, turismo apektado)ZERO BUDGET SA VIGAN AIRPORT UPGRADE

NAGPAHAYAG ng pagkabahala ang ranking lady official ng House Committee on North Luzon Growth sa hindi pagkasama sa kabuuang P167.12 billion na panukalang budget para sa susunod na taon ng Department of Transportation (DOTr) ang nasimulang Vigan Airport Development Project.

Pagbibigay-diin ni Ako Ilocano Ako Party-List Rep. Richelle Singson, Abril 2018 pa nailunsad ang nabanggit na proyekto at mainam na sa lalong madaling panahon ay matapos na ito kaya nakapagtataka aniyang hindi ito mapopondahan ng DOTr, base sa proposed budget para sa fiscal year 2023 ng ahensiya.

“I can understand why there is a growing public disappointment on the matter. After eagerly expecting the completion of the improvement of the Vigan Airport, the budgetary allocation was not included in FY 2023 National Expenditure Program (NEP) in spite of the DOTr proposing it to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM),” sabi pa ng House panel vice-chairperson.

“The completion of the project is crucial to the development of Vigan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the whole of Ilocos Sur, as well as nearby provinces, as it will improve connectivity and boost tourism in the region. We deserve to fully reap the benefits of seeing a completed Vigan Airport. It cannot be another reason to limit influx of foreign and domestic travelers who wish to experience the charm of Ilocos Sur and Vigan, which have tons of unique tourist spots, delicious food and delicacies to share,” dagdag pa ni Singson.

Sinabi ng kongresista na base sa tinatayang budgetary allocation ng Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), kinakailangang mapondohan ng P120 million ang konstruksiyon ng control tower building kasama na ang power supply at supply/installation ng communications and MET equipment, habang P220 million naman ang para sa extension/widening ng runway ng naturang paliparan.

Sinabi rin ng CAAP na ang iba pang vital components ng Vigan Airport Development Project ay nasimulan na partikular ang expansion ng passenger terminal building nito, construction ng administration building, improvement ng vehicle parking area kung saan ang procurement ng runway site nito ay isinasagawa na rin.

“What was started must be finished. Otherwise, it would be a complete waste of government funds if the remaining portions of the project are not continued and completed. We cannot let this project relegated as another failed infrastructure venture,” ani Singson.

Base sa datos ng DOTr/CAAP, noong 2018 kung saan naging aktibong muli ang operasyon ng Vigan Airport, umabot sa 47,856 passengers ang naserbisyuhan nito, tatlong beses na mas malaki kumpara sa 14,645 registered passengers noong 2016.

Sa report naman ng Department of Tourism (DOT), dala ng full operation ng Vigan Airport, ang overnight travelers’ accommodation ng Ilocos Sur para sa January to December 2019 period ay umabot ng 397,022 kung saan 285,828 dito ang bumisita sa Vigan City.

ROMER R. BUTUYAN