By NITZ ARANCON
and SHIELA MAE BUTLIG
Correspondent
CAGAYAN de Oro Mayor Oscar Moreno and Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano have expressed contrasting views in regard to a national government plan to privatize the Laguindingan airport’s operations. The mayor said he was in favor of the plan while the governor vowed to strongly oppose it.
The reactions came following Misamis Oriental Vice Gov. Jose Mari Pelaez’s pronouncements that he and members of the provincial board would move to block efforts by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to make a private group run the airport in the province.
Moreno told radio station DxCC the planned airport privatization would be advantageous on the part of the government because it would mean getting rid of subsidy.
“Mapakusog sa gobyerno ang pag-atiman sa basic services sa katawhan kay dili na man siya mogasto sa operation and maintenance sa maong airport. Ang iyang igasto sa maintenance and operation sa maong airport, iya na kining magamit sa paghatud sa basic services nga gikinahanglan sa katawhan,” Moreno said.
For his part, Gov. Emano said he was one with Pelaez and other members of the provincial board in opposing the privatization plan.
Emano said he has yet to see the plan because the government could earn from the Laguindingan airport.
“Supak ta ana (privatization) kay mao baya na nga sure mokita ang gobyerno like sa water and power,” Emano said.
Pelaez earlier said one of the reasons why he was opposed to the DOTC plan was because of the timing. He said it would create the impression that the Aquino administration is raising election money through privatization. Another, Pelaez said, is because privatization would mean an increase in airport fees.
Moreno said such fears were unfounded. “Walay investor nga mopamahal sa taripa diha sa airport kay mawad-an siyag kliyente. Kinsa may mo-sulod diha kon mahal ang singil sa taripa? Ang mahitabo dili siya makabawi sa iyang investment,” he said.
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