Families involved in the talks the opening of Mati City airport for commercial operations have already given their consent in writing, according to Vice Mayor Glenda Rabat-Gayta.
“Right now they are finalizing ng mga documents, all the heirs have already signed, for both the Rocamoras and Rabat. It’s just a matter of time. You know how documentation is. We are all excited and hopefully, ma-open na siya and that would be another good thing for Mati,” she said in an interview during the opening of 15th Cityhood Day of Mati and the 19th Pujada Bay Festival over the weekend.
Rabat-Gayta added that the families are now prioritizing perfecting the ownership of the airport.
“I think they are targeting before the end of this month, before the turnover to the next administration and we are hoping that all the documents will be done. For now, we are looking forward to the development of the airport,” she said.
The airport was built in the early 1980s under then Davao Oriental Governor Francisco G. Rabat.
In an interview with Mayor Michelle Rabat in 2019, she said one of the main improvement works needed is an expansion of the existing runway to accommodate bigger aircraft.
Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang was reported claiming that the airport’s opening is one of his priorities to boost, not just tourism but the overall investment climate in the province.
Davao Oriental’s popular tourist destinations include the Dahican Beach in Mati, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Mt. Hamiguitan, and Aliwagwag Falls, among others.
