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Runway repair buoys optimism on return of int’l flights to Rota
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Posted on Oct 23 2000
Commonwealth Ports Authority Board Chair Roman S. Palacios yesterday said he is optimistic that the rehabilitation of Rota International Airport runway will signal the return of international flights to the island-municipality.
CPA has already awarded the project to Nippon Hodo Construction last Oct. 20, and work is expected to begin January to June 2001.
Mr. Palacios noted that pilots have started complaining about the safety problem at the runway as early as 1991 which even led Continental Micronesia to abandon its direct Guam-Rota service using B727 aircraft.
Studies by experts showed that the facility becomes slippery during rainy season or after a heavy downpour.
Funding problems have also hampered efforts by ports authority officials to immediately undertake the project. While he understands the frustration of Rota Mayor Benjamin Manglona over the delay in getting the project off the ground, Mr. Palacios assured the local official that the CPA staff are doing everything to complete the project as soon as possible.
Mr. Palacios said the ports authority will complete the project as scheduled while he underscored the need to follow procurement rules and regulations. CPA will have to wait for the notice to proceed from the Federal Aviation Administration and the United States Department of the Interior before actual construction begins.
Both FAA and DOI will review the technical aspects including payment of performance bonds, subcontractors and the type of equipment that will be used for the project. (LFR)
