P90 Million for development of Maasin City Airport due for implementation, says Rep. Mercado

By BONG PEDALINO (PIA Southern Leyte)
July 4, 2009

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte  –  The sum of P40 Million has been included in the 2009 budget of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) for the extension of the runway of this city’s airport at barangay Panan-awan, according to Rep. Roger Mercado.

In addition, Cong. Mercado reported that he had requested the amount of P50 Million for the construction of the airport terminal building, in which P10 Million was already released.

This was revealed by the Southern Leyteño solon in an informal chat with local mediamen at his District Office at barangay Abgao here Thursday morning.

He said he had worked to source funds to extend the runway and have it listed in the DOTC’s 2008 budget, but DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza told him there was no more appropriation for that year.

The DOTC Secretary, however, assured him to program the airport runway extension project for the 2009 allocation, including an initial release for the terminal building.

During the Provincial Development Council (PDC) meeting last month, Gov. Damian Mercado informed that Sea-Air, a private airliner, had inspected the airport and requested for an additional 300-400 meters of runway.

Gov. Mercado said funding for such an expansion had been secured, the project already bided, coupled with an initial release for work on the terminal building.

He said he was confident within the year or next year, Sea-Air will open its route for a commercial flight at Maasin airport.