MANILA (August 26) — Three airports in Mindanao are being considered for relocation by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in an effort to increase their capacity in preparation for a higher demand.
The DOTr stated in calls for expressions of interest that it is investing P249.65 million to deliver masterplans and feasibility studies for new airports in Surigao del Norte, Zamboanga, and Camiguin.
These Mindanao airports must be relocated to increase their capacity to land larger planes and transport more passengers.
The Department of Transportation is investing P92.51 million to rebid the detailed engineering design of the New Zamboanga Airport. The gateway is currently under construction at Barangay Canelar, Zamboanga City, but the DOTr plans to relocate it to Barangays Mercedes and Talabaan.
The medium- and long-term goals for the gateway must be included in the design. The DOTr anticipates that the consultant will revise a feasibility assessment from 2018 that projects the airport will handle 1.99 million passengers by 2030 and 5.94 million by 2040.
Additionally, P79.63 million is being allocated by the DOTr to complete the master plan and feasibility study for moving the Camiguin Airport.
As the DOTr works to construct a larger gateway for Camiguin, the consultant is expected to conduct a site selection study and suggest the most practical option for this project.
With aircraft movement expected to increase by 50% between 2022 and 2023, the agency believes the current airport is not equipped to meet the demand for air travel to the province.
The DOTr would also invest P77.51 million to complete a feasibility study and master plan to relocate Surigao Airport. The administration intends to build the New Surigao Airport elsewhere since extending the existing facility would pose environmental and socioeconomic problems.
Surigao’s local government wants the project priority so that the city is ready to welcome more tourists. The new Surigao Airport will have a 2,100-meter runway that can land larger aircraft such as Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s.
Consultants interested in these projects must submit their eligibility documentation to the DOTr by August 27.
