DOTC to add P9-M to DAP fund

MANILA, Philippines - Amid the controversy surrounding the government's Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) on Friday said it has saved more than P9 million that will go to the program.

The DOTC said in a statement released Friday that the savings came from four airport development projects in the Visayas and Mindanao.

It said that the savings in the infrastructure contracts for civil works in Puerto Princesa, Dipolog City, Zamboanga, and Catarman will be funneled to the DAP.

The DOTC said the contracts were awarded to various private firms last September 30 for various civil works.

The contract for the Semi-Permanent Airport Terminal Project at the Puerto Princesa Airport was awarded to D.G. Sarmenta Construction, amounting to P21.495 million which is lower than the bid ceiling of P22.682 million.

"This will improve passenger convenience by allowing the airport to meet increasing tourist arrivals in the meantime that long-term upgrades are being done. We are aiming for this to be up by summer next year," DOTC spokesperson Migs Sagcal said.

The DOTC said that the Dipolog Airport Development Project was awarded to V.T. Lao Construction in the amount of P26.695 million. The bid ceiling was originally set at P34.256 million. The project involves the construction of river protection and runway strip grade correction.

On the other hand, the Zamboanga Airport Development Project was awarded to Advance Tech Construction & Trading Corporation in the amount of P5.738 million. The bid ceiling was originally set at P6.019 million.  It involves creek de-siltation, de-clogging of box culvert, and construction of a steel strainer.

Meanwhile, the Catarman Airport Development Project was awarded to Vesa Engineering and Construction in the amount of P7.520 million.  The bid ceiling was originally set at P7.563 million.  It covers asphalt overlay of the runway and construction of the perimeter fence.