| Consultation
Dialogue held in Patikul, Sulu
JOLO AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT starts in August 2008
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Photo
shows from left are Jolo Mayor Husin Amin, Patikul Mayor
Kabir Hayudini, Gov. Abdusakur Tan, Task Force Comet
Commander Gen. Juancho Sabban together with guest and
participants during the GEM3-consultation dialogue for
the Jolo Airport Improvement Project. (Photo by the
Mirror) |
Gov.
Abdusakur M. Tan and The Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM3)
headed by Engr. Manuel Jamonir hold a Consultation Dialogue
with the Military and Airforce officials together with the
residents that would be affected by the impending expansion
and improvement of the Jolo Airport.
Gov. Tan lauded the assistance of the US government through
GEM3, he assured full provincial government support to this
endeavour.
“This major infrastructure support if realized, will
open the gateway of market linkages for our business sector”,
Tan said.
“The
economy of Sulu will likely benefit from this project”,
he added.
US Ambassador Kristie Kenney during her visit to Jolo last
December 2007 has revealed her government’s allocation
of US$ 3 Million for this purpose, specifically the expansion
and rehabilitation of existing runway to be at par with other
airports in the country.
The airport in the capital town of Jolo started during the
Japanese invasion in the 40’s. It was improved by the
Americans in the 50’s serving the workhorse of that
time C-47 or DC-3, Fokker Friendship and Hawker-Siddily 480
aircraft.
Last
year, the traffic volume registered 18,305 passengers, unfortunately
due to its out model state it is limited to accommodate light
aircrafts only for landing and take-off. The bigger C-130
military plane is allowed, but only limited to minimum load
capacity.
Engr. Jamonir, Project Specialist of GEM3 explained further
that, “the design of the project will be a concrete
1,800 meters runway with an estimated eastward extension of
630 meters and widening to 30 meters.
“The works will cover the removal and reconstruction
of elevated concrete platform, runway strip clearing, grading
and landscaping along the runway up to 75 meters from runway
centreline at both sides and 60 meters in length from the
thresholds”, Eng. Jamonir stressed.
He added that, “the provision of a runway and safety
area of 60 meters long at both ends of the runway strip, relocation
of military and airforce facilities and their resettlements
will be covered in the design of the project”.
During the consultation dialogue, recommendations as to the
design of the project have been considered among which:
1.
Relocation sites for the affected families;
2. Timeline of 6 months for demolition of affected structures;
3. Drainage system to be incorporated in the design;
4. Diversion road going to the provincial capitol will be
studied in the plan;
5. Alternate road right-of-way for the Notre Dame College
and residents not affected in the undertaking; and
6. Availability of fundings from the Department of Transportation
and Communication DOTC) for construction of Jolo Airport
Terminal Building and perimeter fence.
In a related development, The Mirror learned that some PHP
9 Million has already been allocated by the government through
the DOTC for the construction of a terminal building and perimeter
fence taken from the 2008 General Appropriation Act (GAA).
“If completed, commercial aircraft like the BOEING 737-300
and C-130 military plane will be allowed to utilize the airport”,
Governor Tan expressed.
“I appeal for the support from all sectors that will
be affected by this project”, he further requested.
“The provincial government will look for a possible
relocation sites and we will ensure that no one will be left
displaced”, Governor Tan concluded.
Present
during the dialogue were Gen. Juancho Sabban, Task force Comet
Commander, Col. Natalio Ecarma, Brigade Commander, 3rd Marine
Brigade, Lt.Col. Manuel Delgado, Philippine Army 554th Engineering
Battalion, Lt. Col. Romeo N. Dela Cruz, Phil. Air Force Tactical
Operation Group9, Maj. Tyler Wilson, US Army.
Mayor
Kabir Hayudini, Patikul, Mayor Husin U. Amin, Jolo, Mayor
Hatta Berto, Pandami, Rashdi Abubakar, Manager, Seair, Usman
Asgari, OIC, ATO, Khan Isnaji, Manager, ATO-ARMM, Fr. Emmanuel
Sison, OMI, President, NDJC, Erwin Q. Tan, Provincial Administrator,
Engr. Bertrand A. Chio, PPD Coordinator, Sonny Abing II, OIC-Provincial
Information Officer, Engr. Samkin Maarim, OIC Provincial Engineer,
Hadji Fazlur Abdulla, Chief Operation Officer, Eugene Siason-GEM3
and resident who are affected by the project. (PIO-Sulu)
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