I have it from liable sources. The planned New Bohol Airport in Tawala, Panglao is going to be scaled down or downgraded at a higher cost than what it was previously estimated by the Arroyo administration. According to my sources, consultants from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) commissioned by the Aquino administration to restudy the New Bohol Airport confirmed during a meeting recently the following: the terminal building will now be downscaled from two (2) to a one-storey building; no more tubes for departing and arriving passengers where the original plan had three (3); the runway will now be down to two (2) kilometers instead of 2.5, while the cost shot up to P8.2 billion from the original estimate of P7.3 billion. This means, when completed the New Bohol Airport in Panglao will no longer be of international standard that we understood it to be because no large aircraft plying the international routes like the Boeing 737 and 747 or the Airbus a330-300 and a340-500 cannot land on a runway shorter than 2.5 kilometers. Boeing 757 and 777 or Airbus a680 will need at least three (3) kilometers of runway.

If this happens what will be the difference between the Tagbilaran City Airport and the New Bohol Airport? None, practically. Tagbilaran has 1.8 kilometers of runway but it has a two-storey terminal building after improvements have been made in recent years. So why build a new airport if it will not be any different from what we already have? Why build another one if it will not serve the future need of increased tourism activity in Bohol? And why has the costs ballooned to P8.2 billion if the airport facilities have been downscaled? My sources of information said the consultants explained that a new engineering design will again be made by the consultants. Why should a new engineering design be necessary when our government has already spent P290 million on the engineering design for the original concept and plan? I remember that the members of the Technical Working Group created by then Gov. Aumentado were made to choose by PhilJac consultants among the three drawings for the two-story terminal building. There was the building with roofing that looked like sea waves, there was one that looked like chocolate hills, and there was one that looked like dolphins. So the plans were already there. I can’t remember exactly now which one was chosen but I think it was the one that looked like sea waves because it was cheaper.

This is not a good development for the province of Bohol as we dream it to be. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Gov. Edgar M. Chatto will need to act swiftly to abet any further move to derail our steady climb to claiming our place in world tourism. This is the time for all Boholanos, especially those in the tourism sector, to unite and let our sentiments be heard by the Aquino administration. This is the time for warring political parties and politicians to agree to a truce and join each other, if they really have their hearts in place for Bohol, and send the strong signal to President Noynoy that we cannot agree to this new development on the New Bohol Airport. This is not in line with Daang Matuwid. NOTES: Our congratulations to the thousands of college students who will have their commencement exercises tomorrow. Graduation is called commencement because you are beginning a new life after finishing school. Only schooling is stopped but not learning and the pursuit of education. Hard work and sacrifices will have to continue if you want to succeed. Use your new found knowledge and competence to serve not only yourself but also and especially other people. Share your knowledge because knowledge is no knowledge unless you share it with others. Our country depends on you.