By Emmie V. Abadilla
Transport agencies are fast-tracking the construction of the Sangley Airport in Cavite to meet the operational timeline of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade
Hence, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade directed 24/7 work at the airport, with additional manpower and equipment to be brought in and working hours extended, effective yesterday (June 13, 2019).
“Whatever it takes, we need to make sure that the directive of the President is delivered. Hire more manpower to work 24/7,” the transportation chief stressed.
Already, critical developments in the project are well underway, including the runway, apron, Passenger Terminal Building (PTB), its power supply, drainage system, and site development, reported DOTr Assistant Secretary for Procurement and Project Implementation Giovanni Lopez.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is working closely with the DOTr on the civil works to incorporate the support facilities so the airport can start operating "at the soonest time possible," he noted.
In compliance with Tugade’s directive for the accelerated construction of the Sangley Airport, DOTr Assistant Secretary for Procurement and Project Implementation Giovanni Lopez met with members of “Task Force Sangley,” an inter-agency group composed of the DOTr, CAAP, the Philippine Air Force (PAF), the ferry system as well as the project contractor met the other day and held an ocular inspection at the possible site of the ferry station.
They gave the contractor two months to construct the port in coordination and compliance with the regulations of Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), CAAP, PAF and the Philippine Navy.
The contractor agreed to submit a weekly progress report, alongside a weekly site visit and DOTr inspection, to closely monitor the construction progress.