Oro Chamber backs privatization of Laguindingan airport

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/local-news/2015/09/02/oro-chamber-backs-privatization-laguindingan-airport-428112
• Wednesday, September 2, 2015

By Pamela Jay F. Orias

THE head of the local chamber of commerce here said he is all-out for the privatization of the Laguindingan airport if this will bring a visible improvement in the services of the airport.

Cerael Donggay, president of the Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation Inc., said if the public wants a “visible” improvement of the local airport, the plan to privatize the government-run airport by yearend is “ideal.”

"Our government is clearly not efficient in running any business entities because of inherent bureaucracies," Donggay said.

Donggay said the complex and restrictive rules and regulations of the government processes are acting as obstacles for the upgrade of the airport.

"For example, the delayed procurement, decision making, delayed services, daghan process, dugay gyud. The government cannot do the expansion of the airports alone, it needs help," he said.

Privatizing the airport would shorten these processes, Donggay said, resulting in a more efficiently-run airport.

He said enhancing the capacity of the airport would also likely result in bringing in more tourists and investors to the region.

The national government is currently bidding out the development, operations, and maintenance projects of six regional airports -- Bacolod-Silay, Davao, Iloilo, Laguindingan, New Bohol (Panglao), and Puerto Princesa Airport.

However, Misamis Oriental Vice Governor Joey Pelaez earlier said the provincial government will buck any move to have Laguindingan privatized.

Pelaez said airport fees will likely increase should the airport be privatized.

But Engr. Jose Budiongan, Laguindingan Airport manager, said the privatization would not necessarily lead to a hike in fees.

"Depende man gihapon sa airlines ang pag-increase sa rates," Budiongan said.

He said that the public have nothing to worry about it, should the privatization be finalized since a 'transition phase' will be put in place.

"Usa man pod ni among concern sa taas na at least ang among mandate dili ma-apektuhan," Budiongan said.

The PPP was originally designed for each six airport, he said but are 'bundled as one' because of the lack of bidders.

"Madugay paman siguro ni pag-implement ani nga plano, dugay ra gani ni siya. Giisa na gane ni kay gamay ra ang bidders," Budiongan said.