THE MINDANAO Development Authority said it is pushing for the initial construction or completion of the Zamboanga International Airport project before the end of the Duterte presidency next year.
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| A Cebu Pacific plane lands at the Zamboanga International Airport. (Zamboanga Post) |
In August 2017, the National Economic and Development Authority revived the airport project after Mayor Beng Climaco stated plans to develop a new airport in the city to replace Zamboanga International Airport.
Secretary Manny Piñol, of the Mindanao Development Authority, recently met with Climaco to discuss the airport project. Piñol said the airport project is among the top priorities of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) because of Zamboanga’s role in the BIMP-EAGA or Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines – East ASEAN Growth Area.
He told Climaco that Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has pledged to work for the allocation of additional funds for the transfer of the airport to a bigger area.
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| In 2018, Mayor Beng Climaco donated 200 push carts to the Zamboanga International Airport. The push carts feature photos of local tourism spots and cultural heritage. Climaco is pushing for a new world-class airport in Zamboanga City. (Kathy Wee Sit) |
Climaco thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for his commitment to the project, and also praised Tugade and Piñol for their efforts in ensuring that it pushes through.
“The City Government is also focused on this project and is coordinating with concerned agencies to warrant its actual implementation in due time. We are thankful to know that the Mindanao Development Authority under Secretary Piñol has identified the ZIA project as one of the most crucial infrastructure projects in Mindanao to focus on before President Duterte’s term would end,” she said, adding, the project is long overdue.
The mayor said the airport project would be a monumental accomplishment for the people of Zamboanga. “We are praying very hard for this project and we will do our very best to have this realized sooner, including the transfer of the Edwin Andrews Air Base,” Climaco said.
Zamboanga is home to one of the busiest airports in Mindanao. The airport serves as the gateway to one of Southeast Asia's fastest growing business and cultural hubs, and to the entire Western Mindanao area, according to DOTr.
“To make this gateway even more efficient and modern, the Aviation and Airports sector of the Department of Transportation has been working at top speed to upgrade and enhance the airport’s facilities, with the array of upgrades that are well underway,” it said.
According to Australia’s CAPA-Centre for Aviation, the Zamboanga International Airport project is another transformational “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure initiative of the Duterte administration that is envisioned to boost the economy of Mindanao with the expected increase in tourist arrivals and heightened local travel. “With its upgrade nearing completion soon, there's no stopping Zamboanga City's Bloom and Boom,” it said.
In October last year, Mindanao Development Authority Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro reported that the construction of the new Zamboanga International Airport would cost government around P13.9 billion.
The project will feature a new terminal, six jet bridges, and a control tower and will have a 3440m runway to accommodate heavier aircraft. Construction is expected to commence this year. The government plans to relocate Zamboanga International Airport to a proposed site 17km away in Barangay Mercedes. (Zamboanga Post)
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