CAAP hit over failure to implement 15 infrastructure projects

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) has scolded the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) over its failure to implement 15 out of 16 infrastructure projects for 2017, which could have improved the condition of provincial airports especially in the Visayas region.

“Of the 16 infrastructure projects for implementation in 2017 with a total budget of P125.5 million, 15 projects worth P123.5 million were not implemented during the year while delay was noted in the implementation of the lone project implemented, which consequently delayed the delivery of basic services to intended beneficiaries,” the COA’s 2017 audit report on CAAP read.

The COA said that as of Dec. 31, 2017 only a project involving “provision of cargo building” at Kalibo Airport in Aklan, worth P2 million, was implemented. The COA said the project’s implementation started only on Nov. 15.

Based on COA records, four of the unimplemented projects, costing P32.6 million, were carry-over projects from 2016 and were to be implemented by CAAP’s Aerodrome Development and Management Service (ADMS) and Air Navigation Service (ANS).

These projects involved the construction of a powerhouse at Kalibo Airport (P6.6 million); improvement of terminal building at Bacolod Airport (P6 million); constructions of airport drainage system (P5 million) and five-story new control tower building (P15 million) both at Roxas Airport in Capiz.

The other infrastructure projects lined up for 2017, which the CAAP failed to implement include the construction of a retaining wall and the CAAP - Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS) office at Iloilo airport; rehabilitation of the fire station building, re-blocking of apron pavement, strip grade correction, and expansion of the administration building at Kalibo Airport; construction of covered waiting area at Bacolod Airport; and the expansion of administrative building and construction of CSIS office at Roxas Airport.