Thursday, June 28, 2007

How do you solve a problem like the Iloilo Airport?

As a member of the Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC), I take pride in having participated in several problem solving sessions during the construction of the New Iloilo Airport (NIA). The litany of problems are quite enormous - from the relocation of affected families, quarry sources, and right of way, which unduly setback the construction timetable to revision of scope of work and unprecedented price escalation.

Touted as the most modern and sophisticated airport in the country outside of Metro Manila, the NIA is only 15 days in operation as of this post but the problem of maintaining the new edifice, other facilities and grounds of this 188 hectare complex seems insurmountable.

ATO estimates that the monthly cost of the airport's upkeep would run to Php 10 M. The electricity alone with the sophisticated equipment in operation would cost between Php 2.3 M to Php 2.7 M per month. ATO Iloilo's budget for 2007 does not yet include the additional requirement for the new airport. It's MOOE is at the level of the maintenance cost of the old airport in Mandurriao. To add to its woes, no new personnel has been added to its work force as the staffing pattern will depend on the approval of the agency's rationalization plan pursuant to EO 366.

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