SWIFT PROCESSING. North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco (center) meets with heads of offices of the provincial government on Monday (Jan. 6, 2020) to fast-track the processing of documents required by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for the opening of the Central Mindanao airport in M’lang town in the province. The airport construction started in 2004 but was mothballed due to missing documents required for its transfer to the DOTr. (Photo by Melchor Umpan/Provincial Information Office)
KIDAPAWAN CITY – North Cotabato Governor Nancy A. Catamco has ordered provincial heads of offices to expedite the processing of documents to be submitted to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for the opening of the Central Mindanao Airport in M’lang town of the province.
Catamco issued the order during the first management committee meeting with chiefs of offices of the provincial government on Monday.
During a visit to M’lang last December 30, President Rodrigo Duterte said he wanted the mothballed airport to be opened and used soon.
Catamco was earlier briefed on the details of the project, records of negotiations, meetings, agreements, and designs on infrastructures and findings.
She noted that finger-pointing at any official and employees on the delay of the project would not help solve the current status the Central Mindanao airport, also known as the M’lang airport.
"We need to technically address this concern para mas mabilis (for fast results) and pointing a blaming finger to anybody won't help as faster action must be taken,” she said.
Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said Duterte has issued verbal instructions to Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go to look for funds to complete the airport.
Piñol said Go told him he would confer with his colleagues in the Senate to help source out the funds.
The airport is seen to pave the way for brisk economic activity in the province, as it would also help address the need for the fast transport of agricultural products and trading engagements of North Cotabato to other regions. (PNA)
