Finally, civil works on the New Bohol Airport in Panglao can start this month after the contractor complies the requirements on the site preparation.

As of the latest update, the contractor undertakes clearing, grubbing and fencing at the site to be able to proceed with the actual civil works.

The prime contractor, Chiyoda-Mitsubishi Joint Venture, will construct a 2000-meter runway, passenger terminal building and an airport special equipment.

New Bohol Airport is expected to accommodate 1 million passengers annually.

Chiyoda-Mitsubishi Joint Venture also assured that a photovoltaic power generation system and a filtering system will be provided for the New Bohol Airport to qualify as an “Eco Airport”.

This is to “avoid polluting the surrounding environment by drainage during construction”, according to the Chiyoda statement.

Provincial Administrator Alfonso Damalerio II confirmed that there had been good feedback about the progress of the project, contrary to the past years when it had been perceived as almost impossible.

The Local Project Management Team (LPMT) made sure that the requisites are in place first to avoid hitches in the middle of implementation of the project.

One of them is the resettlement area for the families that had been displaced to give way for the project.

A special cement will also stabilize the bedrock as a remedy to the sinkholes spotted in the project site earlier.

Water companies are also coming in to provide the water supply requirement for the construction of the airport in Panglao.

The modern airport in Panglao will cater to the increasing volume of domestic and international plane passengers in the country.

It will also replace the existing Tagbilaran City Airport which has no room for expansion.

The funding will be provided through a loan with the Japanese ODA (Official Development Assistance) and is designed to fully comply with international safety standards.