The Province of Cotabato is putting all essential efforts to accelerate the operational readiness of the Central Mindanao Airport (CMA) in Barangay Tawan-Tawan, M’lang, Province of Cotabato.
In her State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Tuesday, Cotabato Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza reported that the airport’s feasibility study and the master plan have been finalized, serving as the basis for the implementation of the multiple phases of development of the airport.
She emphasized that these plans are crucial for obtaining extra funding for the airport.
Mendoza announced that an extra 39.2 hectares of land were purchased for more than P100 million to facilitate project expansion and ensure proper runway alignment.
She added that through the Department of Public Works and Highways – Region 12 (DPWH-12) the 3.79 kilometers of the 4.109-kilometer access road in Barangay Langkong have been finished as well as three kilometers of the second access road in Barangay Rizal in M’lang.
The governor reported that the payment has been completed for the 51 landowners covering 103.2 hectares of land for the airport while the notarization of the Deed of Absolute Sale is ongoing to transfer the lands to the CMA.
Mendoza revealed that 10 land titles have been transferred to the provincial government with 18 to the Department of Transportation (DoTr).
“Nagsagawa ng pitching activity upang maipakilala ang airline companies ang CMA bilang potential air route ng bansa. Bilang chairperson ng Regional Development Council 12 (RDC 12) ang CMA ay nangungunang priority projects ng rehiyon,” Mendoza said.
The governor said through the efforts of the provincial council’s assistant majority floor leader, and Third District Rep. Ma. Alana Samantha Santos, together with the DoTr and the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, she has been able to secure P450 million budget for the CMA last year for the construction of airside, facilities, asphalt, and essential infrastructure for the airport’s operations.
The CMA is included in the Mindanao Development Authority’s (MinDA) priority infrastructure projects portfolio and is seen to “catalyze inclusive and balanced rural development in Mindanao” and complement General Santos and Awang Airports in boosting economic activity.
Meanwhile, the Cotabato Provincial Agro-Industrial Park (PAIP), located in M’lang, is also underway.
Mendoza said the PAIP has an allocation of P89 million for the construction of a perimeter fence, gate, guard house, quarantine facility, road network concreting, drainage canal, road signages, markings, landscaping, streetlights, power supply, and water supply.
“Patuloy nating pinapalakas ang ating economic policies kabilang na ang pagpapatupad ng Provincial Investment Code and the Implementing Rules and Regulations, ang Joint Venture Code, at ang leasing ordinance para sa Cotabato Agro Industrial Park,” she said.
Mendoza said this agro-industrial marketing integration hub will cater to the processing of high-value crops and provide services and facilities that will generate added value to other commodities produced locally.
