President Bongbong Marcos’ Economic Team visited the office of Cong. Edgar Chatto in the House of Representatives.
National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan gave
Chatto updates on the time frame of the Bohol-Panglao International Airport Public Private Partnership Project.
This was after the NEDA Board approved its upgrade, expansion, operations and maintenance plan.
According to NEDA, a Swiss Challenge of the original proponent Aboitiz Group is now in progress.
It can be recalled that the vertical and horizontal infrastructures of the airport were implemented and completed during Chatto’s incumbency as governor.
Its expansion had already been in the pipeline with the province’s tourism thrust of bringing in additional arrivals from across the globe.
Part of Chatto’s initiatives in championing tourism as an economic driver include the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program – a convergence of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Tourism and Department of Transportation, and even the ongoing Catagbacan, Loon International Cruise Ship Port.
Chatto had also led Bohol’s Tourism Recovery Plan after the 2013 earthquake that adopted Behold Bohol as a slogan with the assistance of the United Nations Tourism World Organization, DOT and CNN.
Meanwhile, Chatto was also briefed on the ongoing efforts of the Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and NEDA in securing alternative Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) funding from France for the completion of the Panglao Island-Tagbilaran City Connector Bridge.
This was after the unexpected withdrawal of a China Grant for the main bridge component of the project. The Chinese Government had already began preparations for a team to make an inspection of the project but this was stalled amid strained relations due to the West Philippine Sea tensions.
Moreover, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Gov Eli Remolona also assured Chatto that the Monetary Board is reviewing the study of the University of the Philippines on BSP’s Rationalization of Branches which gave a favorable rating to the establishment of the Bohol Branch in Dauis.
Also present during the discussions was House Appropriations Committee Senior Vice Chairperson Marikina Congresswoman Stella Quimbo.