DAVAO CITY – The mothballed airport in the City of Mati in Davao Oriental is finally getting a facelift and expected to commence commercial operation in 2026, five decades since it was built.
OFFICIALS kick off the development of the Mati Airport with the groundbreaking ceremony. (PIO Davao Oriental)
On Feb. 10, Davao Oriental Gov. Niño Uy and City of Mati Mayor Michelle Rabat led the groundbreaking ceremony to formally launch the first phase of airport development.
In a statement, the provincial government of Davao Oriental said that the initial phase includes the upgrading of the passenger terminal building, installation of overhead water tanks, construction of aircraft rescue and firefighting facilities, and building of perimeter fence.
Early this year, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) allocated P87.9 million for the airport’s improvement.
Aside from local government officials, representatives from the DOTr, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), and other key agencies were also present in the groundbreaking ceremony.
According to local government officials, the airport will boost the local economy and tourism as it would help ease travel time going to the province.
Currently, tourists outside of Mindanao bound for City of Mati land at Davao International Airport here and travel three to four hours by land for at least 180 kilometers.
“For decades, this project seemed like a distant hope, but here we are, turning it into reality,” said Uy. “This achievement is not the result of a single effort. It is the culmination of years of dedication, collaboration, and hard work from many individuals and organizations.”
For Rabat, Mati Airport will not just ease connectivity to City of Mati but will also generate employment for locals and boost tourism.
She added that development of the airport is not just about infrastructure but also about creating more opportunities for Mati City and its residents. “The city is ready to welcome more visitors and economic prospects.”
Davao Regional Development Council co-chairperson Arturo Milan said that the discussion to develop the Mati airport came long before Corazon Malanyaon became governor of the province in 2007.
Milan added that the business sector has passed many resolutions supporting the development of the Mati Airport. “I'm very happy to see that things are really moving for Mati Airport."
He said that Mati Airport is a very vital infrastructure since it will not just benefit the province of Davao Oriental and the City of Mati but also the entire Davao region. “This will support the tourism, the fishing, and the agricultural programs being initiated by the province and the city.”
Built in 1976, the airport was said to be a gift from then President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. to the province headed by Francisco “Paking” Rabat.
The airport, which was named Imelda R. Marcos Airport after Marcos Sr.'s wife, was built on private property owned by the prominent families Rabat and Rocamora. It has a runway length of about 1.6 kilometers.
Since then, it was never opened for commercial operations due to its limited capacity. The airport could only accommodate chartered small aircraft and ultra-light planes for recreational activities.
However, once it would commence commercial operations, the airport would be capable of handling various aircraft types, including the Airbus A320.
The province of Davao Oriental, one of the top tourist destinations in Davao region, is home to pristine white sand beaches, natural springs, and the pygmy forests of the Mount Hamiguitan Range and Wildlife Sanctuary, a United Nations, Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization Heritage Site.
The province is known top producer of coconut products and source of different marine products.