Mlang, North Cotabato – President Rody Duterte has asked his close confidant and now Philippine Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go to coordinate with the Transportation Department and source funds for the completion and operation of the mothballed Central Mindanao Airport in Mlang, Cotabato.
Over simple lunch in the Mlang National High School Principal’s Office during his visit to earthquake affected areas Dec. 30, President Duterte was briefed on the actual status of the Airport, also known as the Mlang Airport whose construction was started in 2004.
Present when the President issued the instructions were Sen. Go, DILG Sec. Eduardo Ano, DSWD Secretary Joselito Bautista, Mindanao Development Authority Chairman Sec. Manny Pinol, Cotabato Gov. Nancy Catamco and Mlang Mayor Russel Abonado.
While the runway and the terminal building have been constructed, the airport has not operated because the Provincial Government of Cotabato has not turned over the 62-hectare property where it was built to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
The previous leadership of the province cited missing documents as the reason behind their failure to turn over the project to the DOTr for final completion and commissioning.
Gov. Catamco, who is serving her first term, assured President Duterte that the provincial government will complete all the needed documents for the official turn-over of the property to the DOTr.
Sen. Bong Go, whose public statements reflect the sentiments of President Duterte, said the operation of the airport is very critical because it is located in a strategic area.
The airport operation could also boost the economic growth of Region XII or Central Mindanao where many agricultural products, including highly perishable fruits, come from.
“I will talk to DOTr Secretary Art Tugade and I will help look for additional funding for the completion of the airport,” he said.
The young Senator from Davao City said he will ensure that the Mlang Airport will be opened and operational before 2022.
(First photo was downloaded from EDGE Davao website. Second photo was a selfie taken by Sen. Bong Go while the other photos showing the airport runway and the map were downloaded from Facebook.)
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