By Victor L. Tambis
Through the initiative of the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh), Bohol Water Utilities, Inc. (BWUI) delivers water to Bohol-Panglao International Airport (BPIA).
Acting on the request of the PGBh, BWUI immediately delivered water to the BPIA area using its water trucks with the capacity of 12,000 cubic meters and 10,000 cubic meters.
The move was done to address the water shortage experienced by incoming and outgoing passengers who use the air terminal.
BWUI committed to the PGBh to deliver water to the BPIA six trips of water tanker or a total of 60,000 liters per day.
In fact, right after the meeting on Jan. 8, 2025, BWUI started the delivery and was able to deliver three loads of water truck starting 5:00pm until 10:00pm on that day.
Upon seeing the gripes posted on social media, the Governor was alarmed about the water shortage at the BPIA and immediately on January 8, 2025, he called an emergency meeting with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), BPIA and various water providers which only Bohol Water Utilities, Inc. (BWUI) attended.
During the meeting, Engr. Johnrey Concon of BPIA, informed the body that the BPIA has been experiencing water shortage since December 17, 2024.
It was learned that because of this water shortage, the users of the BIPIA comfort rooms have been applying the conventional “kabo-kabo” system because the service faucets were already running dry.
According to Engr. Concon, the water deficiency was reported to the BPIA water provider earlier for appropriate action.
On December 2, 2024, BPIA personnel conducted a joint inspection with the water service provider, and the latter said that there was “valve manipulation” that caused the water shortage.
Considering the fact that the situation brought a negative image to the Province of Bohol as the primary tourist destination of the country, CAAP sent a demand letter to the provider and made a series of follow-up. However, actions made by the provider did not alleviate the situation.
With the continued delivery of water by BWUI to the BPIA, it is expected that water supply to the airport will be normalized.
With the advocacy on “Water on the next hour”, the Provincial Government of Bohol through Provincial Administrator (PA) Aster Caberte hails the immediate action of Bohol Water to address the water shortage at Panglao airport.