Thank you so much President Duterte, DOTR: Mayor Beng

ZAMBOANGA CITY Mayor Beng Climaco thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for prioritizing the Zamboanga International Airport rehabilitation projects following the approval of the P235 million funding included in the P4.5-trillion national budget for 2021.

Mayor Beng Climaco with President Rodrigo Duterte.

Climaco said this latest development was relayed to her by Duterte’s Assistant Secretary Jenny Joy Ong during the 4th quarter meeting of the National Peace and Order Council recently. 

The mayor also thanked Secretary Arthur Tugade, of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), for the support. Climaco also requested this to Duterte during one of his visits here upon the request of the Philippine Air Force’s Edwin Andrews Air Base. 

She said project will help in making the runway accessible to land FA-50 light combat air crafts. The fighter jets are among the latest military air crafts acquired by the Philippine Air Force to strengthen the country’s defense. 

The Zamboanga International Airport has been a major concern of Climaco since she was a member of the City Council, and in Congress, then as mayor, and even donated many colorful baggage trolleys that showcased local culture and heritage. 

Being concerned with security - as one of her top priorities ever since - Climaco said the Edwin Andrews Air Base is a potential home for modern jet fighters and unmanned aerial vehicles considering Zamboanga’s strategic location in the South.  

The mayor said she has been so impressed with Duterte’s political guidance and quoted the president as saying that “he has learned a lot from his own father (Vicente), a former governor, to help all notwithstanding political affiliations” since he has already won the presidency. 

Climaco admitted the same belief is something she tries to emulate for the welfare of the Zamboangueño people and the city’s progress despite the black propaganda campaign from political foes and trolls. 

The DOTr said the Zamboanga International Airport project is another transformational “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure initiative that is envisioned to boost the economy of Mindanao, and is a step closer in its pursuit for enhance air connectivity throughout the country.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade lauded the relentless efforts of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) for the completion of the two Mindanao airport projects, which are expected to greatly benefit the whole region.  

He said these recent developments are just in time for the resumption of commercial operations of most airports, which have suspended operations during the enforcement of strict community quarantine across the country, in an effort to contain the spread of Covid-19. 

“With the work we are doing, especially with the work the CAAP is continuing with, the aviation sector will surely recover. Ito hong mga proyektong ito ang paraan namin para sabihing we will get back on our feet and we will do so by enhancing our mobility and connectivity,” Tugade pointed out.  

For his part, Jim Sydiongco, the CAAP Director General, said the improvements in the Zamboanga International Airport and also Jolo airport signify the readiness of the country’s aviation industry to build regional hubs as the industry transitions to the “new normal” amid the coronavirus pandemic.  

“We may have been hit hard by this pandemic but we will always come up with strategic plans to help cushion its impact. Apart from our completed airport projects, we also have other ongoing projects expected to be operational soon. These will surely contribute to our smooth transition, especially that we are promoting the use of regional airports to decongest NAIA,” Sydiongco said. (Zamboanga Post)

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