By Gerry Lee Gorit
LAGUINDINGAN, Misamis Oriental – No less than Secretary Jaime J. Bautista of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) graced the groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of Laguindingan Airport, last February 4, 2024.
Secretary Baustista underscored the need to start the expansion project as soon as possible because of the pressing concerns aired by thousands of travelers as well as the lack of more facilities in the airport that will benefit the passengers.
“We have already awarded the expansion project to a contractor and they will see to it that this will be completed within the next six months,” Bautista said.
Congressman Yevgeny ‘Bambi’ Emano, for his part, said this is a long overdue support from the national government and now that it is finally funded, they are very thankful to President MArcos and Pres Arroyo for their part in the realization of the airport.
Emano also thanked DOTr Secretary Bautista for his active participation in making this project a reality, adding that Laguindingan Airport really need this help to provide adequate services to the passengers and all people using the airport facilities.
Meanwhile, Paglaum Governor Peter M. Unabia challenged all congressmen in the province and
Cagayan de Oro to work hard for the development of three major projects that will propel massive development of the island.
Unabia named these major government infrastructures as the Laguindingan Airport, Mindanao Container Port and Mindanao Railway project.
CITY OFFICIALS RESOLUTION
Earlier, the 20th Cagayan de Oro City Council introduced two resolutions urging the national government to expedite the enhancement of Laguindingan airport in the province of Misamis Oriental.
Councilor Edgar Cabanlas presented a special report, highlighting that Laguindingan airport, despite its transfer from Lumbia airport in Cagayan de Oro City, has fallen behind other airports in the country. The development of Laguindingan airport, initiated in the early 90s, was only completed in 2013. Cabanlas emphasized that, considering the conditions, Laguindingan should have been the premier airport in Mindanao, surpassing even those in Davao and Cebu. However, he lamented the lack of improvements, echoing the concerns of the numerous passengers traveling to Laguindingan airport.
Situated 46 kilometers away from Cagayan de Oro City and serving cities like Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and Marawi, as well as the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, and Bukidnon, Laguindingan airport replaced Lumbia airport and Maria Christina Airport. Cabanlas filed a second resolution, urging the Provincial Board of Misamis Oriental to support the City Council’s call for the expansion of Laguindingan airport.
Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya suggested that the council’s public utilities committee invite relevant agencies for project updates. He proposed exploring the possibility of expanding Laguindingan airport to accommodate international flights, such as those to Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore.
While Laguindingan airport has a capacity for 2,000 passengers daily or 1.6 million annually, Cabanlas pointed out that the facilities and capacity are insufficient for the increasing number of travelers, reaching 5,000 passengers daily. Even with early arrivals at 4 am to 5 am, the airport experiences congestion.
The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) recently confirmed that the contract for the airport’s operations and maintenance may be awarded in May. Additionally, NEDA acknowledged the bidding process, which will challenge Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc.’s unsolicited proposal under the Swiss Challenge system of the government’s newly enacted public-private partnership
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