The extensive groundwork for the highly-anticipated Mati City Airport continues as the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental and the City Government of Mati are optimistic about starting the airport’s operation as soon as possible.
Following a meeting with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Wednesday, March 14, Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon is boldly moving to secure funds from key agencies to help realize the airport’s short-term development plan that would enable the operation of the airport.
Designed to cater to small jets initially, the short-term plan requires P375 million in funding to establish basic facilities necessary to allow the operation of the airport for commercial flights. These basic facilities include a terminal, a runway, a parking area, an apron to accommodate two to three aircraft, a control tower, a fire station, an administrative building, a concessionaire’s area, and an access road.
Hoping to secure the funds for 2024, Governor Malanyaon, as the Regional Development Council (RDC) XI Chairperson, is set to submit a proposal to the Office of the President, which will be endorsed through the RDC XI.
Mr. Santy Zapata of the Department of Transportation Aviation Sector said that while “most of the lots have already been transferred to the name of the department, the next step is to develop the airport.”
Governor Malanyaon and Mati City Mayor Michelle Rabat have always been aggressive in their efforts to have the airport’s operation started. Last year, the two officials had initial meetings with the executives of the flag carrier Philippine Airlines, which has expressed interest in scheduling regular flights in Davao Oriental, particularly in the city of Mati.
Governor Malanyaon, who envisions stimulating the economy through tourism, said her administration is prioritizing creating a welcoming environment for tourists and investors. She said investing in key infrastructure projects, such as the airport, would greatly promote local attractions, develop markets, encourage entrepreneurship and agriculture, and create a thriving tourism industry that benefits the local economy and community.
Governor Malanyaon is banking on the airport’s operation to open the city and the province to the rest of the country.
Poised to establish itself as a premier tourist destination in the county, Davao Oriental prides the wide range of scenic attractions it has to offer, literally ranging from ridges to reefs.
Moreover, Governor Malanyaon sees the airport’s significant positive impact on the local economy by creating more local jobs, boosting tourist arrival, stimulating trade and commerce, and improving infrastructures – things the province desperately needs as it recovers from the onslaught of the recent pandemic. ʙʏ ᴋᴀʀᴇɴ ʟᴏᴜ ᴅᴇʟᴏꜱᴏ | ᴘʜᴏᴛᴏꜱ ʙʏ ᴍᴀʀᴋ ᴏʟɪᴠᴇʀ ᴀʟᴠɪᴛᴇ
