DAVAO CITY — Tourism officials here are optimistic that the 40-year-old Imelda R. Marcos Airport in barangay Dahican, Mati City, Davao Oriental will finally open.
The airport which is now known as Mati City Airport was inaugurated during the time of then President Fidel Ramos
The construction of the Mati Airport started 40 years ago during the time of the late Governor Francisco “Paking” Rabat.
But property procurement problem continued to snag its realization.
Tourism regional director Tany Rabat-Tan in a recent interview said “Syempre (of course) we are enthusiastic about that plan. We are excited about that because it will open potentials indoors… certain market that we wish to visit the area.”
Rabat-Tan said they just visited the airport in the hope that will be realized and become operational to cater to the increasing tourists coming to the province as it has plenty of tourism destinations.
Among the attractions include white sand beaches being considered as one of the world’s best beaches and the world heritage Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary (MHRWS).
Mt. Hamiguitan was recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as world heritage site on June 23, 2014 and declared as Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Heritage Park on October 21, 2014.
The airport sits in a 61-hectare government property but private landowners have yet to withdraw their claim as a parcel of which belongs to the Rabat and Racamora families.
In 2018, the national government allocated P10-million through the General Appropriations Act, for the perimeter fencing.
In 2019, it was again allotted P200-million, for the facilities and other requirement but the budget was returned to the national coffers because it was not spent as property issue hindered the improvement.
