These 7 Mindanao airports will get P1.3-B upgrade funds this year 

(MANILA BULLETIN)

The Philippine government is investing P1.3 billion in its infrastructure upgrade plan for a total of seven airports in Mindanao this year, Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel bared. 

“Congress has provided new money for the upgrading of commercial aviation hubs all over Mindanao, including those in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), such as Jolo Airport in Sulu province,” Pimentel, a member of the House Committee on Flagship Programs and Projects, said in a statement Sunday, April 28. 

“Improved airports in the provinces will facilitate the transfer of people and goods, bring in more tourists, support the growth of small businesses, and help create new jobs,” he said. 

The National Unity Party (NUP) stalwart named the seven Mindanao airports and their corresponding aviation infrastructure allotments in the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA) as follows: Bukidnon Airport, P320 million; Central Mindanao M’lang Airport, P300 million; New Zamboanga International Airport, P300 million; Tandag Airport, P100 million; Jolo Airport, P100 million; Mati Airport, P100 million; and Surigao Airport, P80 million. 

According to Pimentel, aviation infrastructure allotments are usually spent to rehabilitate or construct runways, taxiways, ramps, control towers, passenger terminals and perimeter fencing as well as power, water and fire stations, among other facilities. 

He said the allotments may also be spent to acquire new navigational equipment. 

Last week, a new airline – Bangsamoro Airways – launched light aircraft flights from Cotabato City to Zamboanga City and Jolo. 

The new airline, established by Maguindanao del Norte-based Federal Airways Inc., also plans to eventually deploy flights from Zamboanga to Mapun in Tawi-Tawi province, and from Cotabato to General Santos City.