MIMAROPA

DOTC bids out P135 M for San Vicente airport upgrade

By Victoria Asuncion S. Mendoza

Friday 31st of August 2012

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan, Aug 31 (PIA) -- The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has concluded the bidding of two contracts worth P135.7 million for the rehabilitation and improvement of the San Vicente Airport in northern Palawan.

In his last State of the Nation Address, President Aquino mentioned San Vicente Airport as one of the seven airports to be upgraded this year.

The upgrading of the airport will support the growth of tourism and commerce in the area. San Vicente which is situated in the northwest of mainland Palawan is famous for its white sand beaches foremost of which is the 14-kilometer long stretch in Barangay Alimanguan and Port Barton.

The first contract which was allotted P62.72 million in the 2011 budget includes the construction of a 1,350 sq m passenger terminal building, runway extension with slope protection, hill obstruction removal, construction of a fire station building and construction of an elevated 2,500-gallon water tank.

This contract was bid out in July with Brostan Construction and Development offering the lowest bid at P50.16 million among six bidders that participated in the project auction.

The second contract with funding under the 2012 budget costs P72.35 million. It includes a runway extension 150 meters long and 30 meters wide, a 19,670 sq m vehicular parking area, security fence, concrete hollow block perimeter fence, drainage system, hill obstruction removal and installation of two pedestrian and vehicular gates.

The deadline and the opening of the bids for the second contract was held yesterday. Both contracts will have a timetable of 360 calendar days. Constructions on both contracts are expected to start by the last quarter of the year. (VSM/TBO -PIA-Palawan)