The aerial view of the Central Mindanao Airport in Barangay Tawan-Tawan, M’lang, North Cotabato. (Photo from CMA Facebook Page)
COTABATO CITY – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has committed additional funding for the completion of the Central Mindanao Airport (CMA), North Cotabato Gov. Nancy Catamco said Tuesday.
Catamco said the additional funding reflects President Rodrigo Duterte’s "support to the people of North Cotabato and Mindanao, in general."
The governor noted that the national government funded the airport project in the 2018 and 2019 annual budgets to the tune of PHP130 million, which covers the construction of its taxiway, expansion of the airport apron, and perimeter fence.
Catamco said the project is currently 37 percent completed.
“The fencing, the taxiway, expansion of apron are expected to be completed by Nov. 2020,” Catamco said. She said the site acquisition is also almost complete wherein 69 lots out of 81 lots were already acquired.
However, she said additional funding of PHP54 million is needed for the acquisition of land for the access road in Barangays New Rizal and Langkong and another 23 hectares for the expansion of the airport landside area.
“This funding request was included in the calendar year 2021 budget proposal,” Catamco said.
On top of the PHP54 million for site acquisition, Catamco said the province has also requested PHP33 million for the rehabilitation of the existing terminal building which is necessary for the scheduled opening of the airport next year.
“Thus, PHP87 million was the total budget proposal under CY 2021 infra-program,” she said.
During Monday’s meeting of the provincial management committee presided by the governor, Rep. Jose Tejada of the 3rd District of North Cotabato reported that additional funds for CMA have been included in the proposed 2021 national budget.
Catamco said Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has confirmed, in a personal text message, that the PHP87 million was included in the DOTr 2021 budget.
Catamco believes that the opening of the CMA will help revive the economy slowed down by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. (PNA)
