CPA reminds Rota Mayor: ‘We have to follow procurement regulations’

The Commonwealth Ports Authority has assured Rota Mayor Benjamin T. Manglona that rehabilitation of the island’s air transport facility will be completed as scheduled but stressed the need to follow procurement regulations.

Mr. Salas pointed out that CPA is mandated to follow procurement regulations which explains why actual construction was scheduled to start in January 2001 although the apparent low bidder for the project has already been identified.

“We have to follow procurement regulations, and in doing that, the normal time frame that we expect to undertake the project is from January to June,” he told reporters during a recent media briefing.

Re-sealing of the Rota International Airport runway was proposed several years back after friction tests indicated that the facility becomes very slippery during rainy season or after a heavy downpour.

“The project was envisioned several years ago but we had problems with funding, and when the funding becomes available then we began all the technical works which involved assessment of the runway condition through a friction test which cost about $60,000.”

Mr. Salas stressed that there is no way the contractor for the project can start actual construction without the benefit of the official Notice to Proceed from the Federal Aviation Administration and the United States Department of the Interior.

Before the official Notice to Proceed can be issued, both FAA and DOI have to review technical aspects including payment performance bonds, subcontractors and the type of equipment that will be used for the project.

“If we are able to satisfy the FAA and DOI on the specifics of the project, then that’s the only time they will issue the Notice to Proceed. The contractor will not start work without it,” said Mr. Salas.

Mr. Manglona on Friday expressed disappointment over what he believes was another unnecessary delay in the construction of the island’s airport runway project, which is scheduled to begin in January 2001.

In his September 13 letter to CPA Board Chair Roman S. Palacios and Mr. Salas, the mayor said Rota cannot wait for yet another three months to begin construction of the island’s runway project.

He even went as far as urging the CPA to allow the construction of the Rota Runway Sealance Project initially using local funds earmarked for it if, he stressed, the cause for the delay is the availability of money that will come from FAA.

The mayor underscored the urgency of the runway sealance project to the safety of both inbound and outbound passengers while adding the need to encourage jet service into Rota, as well as an improved, reliable air service.