ROXAS LISTENS TO LOCAL MEDIA

MAASIN CITY – DOTC Secretary Mar Roxas appears to have heeded Southern Leyte's local media's advice to release the funds for two flag ship projects. For according to reliable sources the budget for the Pananawan airport is now ready for release and the department is looking for contractors to implement the airport project.

The office of Secretary Roxas informed the Times that the project is now one of the priority projects of the DOTC in the region to support Southern Leyte's growth in commerce and tourism.

The project which will extend the runway of the Maasin City Airport to accomodate commercial flights to Manila and Cebu will cost an estimated 45 million pesos.

While the Caniwan Seaport project will require around P40 million to complete.

Last May, Congressman Roger Mercado sought the help of Southern Leyte's trimedia to pressure the DOTC to fast-track the release
of funds earmarked for the city airport and seaport projects.

Responding to the solon's request the local media sent a strongly worded resolution asking Roxas to release the P85 million earmarked for Southern Leyte.

In a rare show of unity, the heretofore disorganized tri-media in Southern Leyte, joined forces to demand the release of the 85 million pesos for the Caniwan Seaport and Pananawan Airport in Maasin City.

According to Congressman Roger G. Mercado, the funds were released to the Department of Transportation and Communication way back in April 2011, but that Secretary Mar Roxas had inexplicably withheld its release. Sources here claim Roxas who lost to Vice President JejomarBinay in the province was still smarting from his poor showing in Southern Leyte.

However sources at DOTC denied this and claimed the proposed extension of the airport was considered low priority because very few people would use it and the commercial airlines would find it unprofitable.

They said the Caniwan Seaport was the better option because it was a protected cove and safe during Habagat season.

But since the Bato and Hilongos ports were only a few minutes away it was also considered a poor investment considering the austerity program of the Aquino administration. (By ANTONIO M. REYES)

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