• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The proposed additional P855-million budget for the Kabankalan City airport proposed by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) since last year is still in limbo.
Mayor Benjie Miranda said on Friday (July 2) that while waiting for the funding, the city government allocates P10 million every year for the airport development.
Miranda added that P40 million is also available for the construction of the perimeter fence of the airport situated in Barangay Hilamonan.
The construction of the 104-hectare Kabankalan airport started in 2007, and the runway has long been completed.
Miranda, who met with Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista in Manila last month, said that the DOTr chief asked him regarding the ownership of the airport.
He said he told Bautista that it does not matter to him who owns the airport as the city is only interested in its completion.
The proposed P855-million additional funding covers the construction of the passenger terminal and cargo area, control tower, parking area, among others.
Miranda said that the city government is also looking for a property for the relocation of about 100 families staying in the vicinity of the airport. | GB
