Editorial
The profit is 'greener' than the grass
The construction of the new Iloilo airport of international standard appears to be in full swing. The aeronautical area is almost done and ready for pavement. In fact, its contractor, Taisei-Shimizu Joint Venture, expects to finish and turn over the project to the government within its contract completion month of October 2006 despite such stumbling blocks as political interferences, weather disturbances and the sub-constructors' slippages.
However, there seems to be a brewing controversy as regards the landscaping of 90 hectares of land --- or 45 hectares on each of the runway --- with the right grass. Should it be carabao grass or Bermuda grass?
In most airports in the country, it's the carabao grass that contours the off-runway perimeter because it is the cheapest, the most abundant and the sturdiest type. Since it is indigenous in Iloilo, it needs practically no maintenance, no watering and no mowing.
Bermuda grass, on the other hand, is a European luxury that's practical only for small lawns. While it is easy to sod on local ground, it needs regular "tender loving care" in the hands of experienced gardeners. Therefore, its survival depends on expensive maintenance and replacement. Worse, it is not easily obtainable here, hence must be sourced from far-away provinces. The possibility is not remote, therefore, that the green runway embankment would turn brown within weeks. Think of the money that would have gone to waste.
In the long run, therefore, the lowly carabao grass would end up more magnificent to behold than the withering and forlorn Bermuda grass.
We raise this concern because from the grapevine, we have heard of so-called "irresistible forces" aimed at compelling Taisei-Shimizu to award the airport landscaping to an influential Bermuda grass supplier, in effect ignoring the carabao grass supplier it has already transacted business with.
Obviously, we see profit motive as the hidden but "greener" argument in favor of the Bermuda. We therefore urge the Department of Transportation and Communications to look into the matter now before it's too late.