Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 10) – The chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means is pushing for the relocation of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) towers to expand the Bicol International Airport (BIA) to runways, allowing it to accommodate international flights.
In a letter addressed to Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista on March 10, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said the decision to relocate NGCP towers stemmed from his Feb. 7 meeting with transport officials on the status of international flights to and from the BIA.
“The CAAP (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines) emphasized the need to relocate towers of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines that stand in the way of runway expansion to allow for international flights in the Bicol International Airport,” he wrote.
Salceda said he has requested the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to include a ₱600 to ₱700 million allotment for relocating the towers.
“In view of this and the ongoing budget call, may I urgently request that the Department of Transportation include the estimated ₱600-₱700 million required to complete the relocation in its budget request for the National Expenditure Plan,” he added.
BIA was supposed to take international flights this year if not for the technical issue, Salceda added. He has yet to disclose where the NGCP towers will be relocated.
