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Start of bidding process means Alaminos Airport Project finally rises soon
Date:
August 26, 2009
"Various firms are now eyeing for the Alaminos Airport Development Project as the bidding process has already begun," said Mayor Hernani A. Braganza Wednesday morning at the city government-run daily radio program.
"The bidding process for the construction of the runway, which has an approved budget of P 96.5 M, will be completed by September 30," added the second-termer mayor.
He said the contract will soon be awarded to the winning bidder to start the much awaited construction of this multi-million project in the city.
“We are also awaiting the final schedule of MOA signing so that we could also proceed with the land acquisition,” he added.
The Bid Notice Abstract has recently been publicly advertised in the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PHILGEPS).
And it is expected that local as well as international construction companies to be lining up to bid for the first commercial airport in the province of Pangasinan.
Earlier, based on the results of study conducted by Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and Philipps Technical Consultants Corporation (PTCC), it was found out that from eight possible sites in the province, Alaminos is the best area to put up an airport.
“What made the airport project in the city economically and technically viable is the presence of the Hundred Island National Park, a world-class tourist destination,” according to Thelma Mauricio, PTCC vice president for Business Development.
Its strategic location in the North Luzon Agri-Business Quadrangle is also a big plus for Alaminos.
Other areas visited by the experts but failed to make the grade were the towns of Lingayen, Sta. Barbara, Rosales, Bani, and Binalonan.
Braganza thanked Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for fulfilling her promise to put up an airport in Pangasinan specifically here in Alaminos.
“I’m very happy for our citymates who waited so long for this dream to become a reality," stressed the former Press and Agrarian Reform Secretary. "I also thanked them for their prayers, patience and for believing that Alaminos will make it in the end.”
The mayor noted that for the first time in city’s political and economic history, a commercial airport will be built in the city.
“What is important is that the airport is not just for Alaminos. It is for the whole province of Pangasinan,” he said.
“Sinasabi ko nga po dati, kahit hindi po sa Alaminos basta huwag lang po’ng masyadong malayo sa Hundred Islands,” he continued.
Having an airport in the city and in the province, according to the mayor, could as well lure more tourists to visit Pangasinan’s famous scenic spots and historical sites.
Citing Aklan as an example, Braganza said the island province draws more than 1 million local and foreign tourists a year.
In Pangasinan’s case, despite its proximity to Metro Manila, it could only attract thousands of tourists during peak season.
“But with the construction of an airport in our city will make the province accessible to tourists, he mayor noted. In less than an hour, tourists and investors are already here in our province.”
"This (airport project) will likewise make the investments of our city mates economically viable,” he pointed out.
Another advantage of having an airport is the expected attract businessmen who will to invest on modern facilities that will soon to provide services to local and foreign tourists here as well as lenders and aid donors.
Braganza said the airport project will not just generate thousands of new jobs for Alaminians and Pangasinense, it also plays a key role in boosting the local economy and would attract.
“We’ve seen the economic impact of an airport to all the cities or provinces that have it,” he said.
“We expect Alaminos, our Kabaleyans and provincemates to benefit fully from this project to improve their quality of life,” he added. (CIO)
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