DavNor governor says electric coop’s rates, services affecting businesses, households CAAP bids out Phase 4 of Bukidnon Airport

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has updated the schedule of the bid submission and opening of the P1-billion Phase IV of the construction of the Bukidnon Airport, based on bid documents as of March 7, 2023.

This 900-day phase of the Bukidnon Airport Development Project is expected to start on May 25, 2023 and completed by November 10, 2025.

CAAP set the new deadline for submission and opening of bids for the P970.3 million phase on March 30, 2023, according to the bid bulletin issued by Captain Edgardo G. Diaz, Chair, CAAP Bids and Awards Committee.

Located in Barangay Maraymaray in Don Carlos town in the southern part of the province, the airport is one of the flagship projects of the national government in Northern Mindanao.

The airport nearest Malaybalay City is Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental which is 127 kilometers away with travel time of nearly three hours. Malaybalay to Maraymaray in Don Carlos is 62.9 kilometers and travel takes a little over an hour.

Phase 4 covers the site preparation of the land side area; construction of access road and vehicular parking area; industrial lighting and exterior power distribution, nine-story control tower

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib lambasted Northern Davao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Nordeco) on Monday over high power rates and poor services.

building; two-story administration building; communal toilet; waiting area; A and B ticketing booths – A (four units) and B (two units); 10,000-gallons steel water tank A and B; pump house A,B, and C; powerhouse; transform yard (two units); CSIS office building; cargo terminal building; rescue and firefighting facility; STP control room; guardhouse A & B; covered pathway, 13 Units; lifting station with 26 service manholes; water impounding system; and staff house building.

CAAP has reported about 8.26% actual accomplishment in the airport’s Phase 3 or the construction of passenger terminal building, runway strip, runway extension, among others as of a status report as of February 28, 2023.

CAAP awarded the P958.4 million project phase to Tokwing Construction Corp./Mamsar Construction and Industrial Corporation. The 540-day project started on September 10, 2022 and is due for completion on April 3, 2024, after a revision.

Contractor Jasa Builders completed the construction of the project’s P74.5 million Phase 2 on October 9, 2022, which CAAP inspectors checked on November 16, 2022.

CAAP has reported 48.25% actual accomplishment in the air-

According to the governor, Nordeco’s operations not only affect the province’s local businesses and households but also impacted its tourism industry, particularly in the cities of Tagum and the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS).

Jubahib’s statement came following a protest rally against the electric cooperative.

“For instance, small businesses and industries that rely on electricity for their operations have been struggling due to the high power rates imposed by Nordeco. This puts them at a disadvantage compared to their competitors in other areas, which can lead to a negative impact on our local economy “ Jubahib said. Nordeco has denied they are operating with unreasonable rates and poor services.

Lawyer Jeorge Rapista, legal counsel of Nordeco, reacted to the governor’s claims saying the cooperative respects the call of the member-consumers. However, on the claims that their service is poor, Rapista said it is totally unfair on the part of the cooperative.

“On the part of Nordeco ato nang gina respeto ang pagpasibaw sa mga member/consumers kabahin sa ilang mga reklamo. Natural kana and we take that as a challenge. Kaya lang kung ato ingnun nga walay klaro ang serbisyo sa Nordeco, its totally unfair on the part of Nordeco nga nagserbisyo for 50 years. Ginatan-aw nato ang mga nego-

FDAVNOR, P10