Davao City Investment Promotions Center Head Lemuel Ortonio confirmed on Tuesday that the city government has purchased 37 standalone air conditioning units as temporary replacement to the dysfunctional chillers in Davao International Airport (Francisco Bangoy International Airport).
According to Ortonio, 17 units were already installed and the 20 units were committed to be delivered last week.
“I will still check if they have installed the rest,” said the DCIPC head during a media forum at DermPath, SM Ecoland, Davao City on Tuesday.
Ortonio said the total amount of the units purchased was not disclosed, however, the city government has allocated a “substantial amount” for that.
He explained that the chillers primarily used in the airport will be repaired abroad since there are no available facilities in the country that could repair it, aside from the parts of the chillers that will be replaced which are only available outside the country.
Participating on Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Incorporated roadshow from November 27 to December 2, Ortonio also said that they visited CAAP office to raise concerns and issues on the city’s airport facilities such as air conditioning units, comfort rooms, marketing and promotion tools.
According to Ortonio, the CAAP office visit was not part of the itinerary but a mandate of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to DCIPC since the Davao airport “is the first thing visitors see when they go to Davao”.
Speaking with CAAP director general, they discussed on the renovation of the city airport.
Under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has allocated P40 billion for the renovation of the Davao City International Airport.
The general plan, according to Ortonio includes extension of the terminal and a small expansion on the runway to accommodate additional air buses.
“Majority of the budget will be allocated for the terminal,” Ortonio clarified.
The DCIPC head said the Davao City Airport renovation is part of the project package of CAAP, together with three other airports in the country.
He added that the renovation will supposedly begin on November, however, he said a review is still on going on the bundling of the package.
