Re-elected Cotabato Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza emphasized that efforts continue to accelerate the completion of the Central Mindanao Airport (formerly M’lang Airport) and the Cotabato Agro-Industrial Park (CAIP).
The governor assured the development of these projects with the help of Cotabato Third District Representative Ma. Alana Samantha Santos.
“Ang mga ito ay magbibigay ng napakalaking oportunidad, trabaho at negosyo hindi lamang sa mamamayan ng M’lang kundi sa buong lalawigan,” Mendoza said during the recent oath-taking of M’Lang Mayor-elect Emmanuel Abonado and Vice Mayor-elect Giovanni Tejada at M’lang Municipal Gymnasium.
Mendoza said that the Province of Cotabato is putting all essential efforts into accelerating the operational readiness of the Central Mindanao Airport (CMA) in Barangay Tawan-Tawan, M’lang, Province of Cotabato.
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.
In her State of the Province Address (SOPA) in March this year, 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 said that these plans are crucial for obtaining extra funding for the airport.
Mendoza announced that an extra 39.2 hectares of land was 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 said through the efforts of the provincial council, Rep. Santos, together with the Department of Transportation (DoTr) and the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), she was 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.
Meanwhile, the CAIP, which will be located also in M’lang, 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.
This agro-industrial marketing integration hub is being positioned to cater to the processing of high-value crops and provide services and facilities that will generate added value to other commodities produced locally.
