Mati airport revival to start soon

THE city government of Mati have coordinated with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) for the revival of the Mati airport in Dahican.

The Mati Airport was constructed back in the 70s during the time of the late president Ferdinand Marcos and no deeds of donation were executed since.

According to Mati City Promotions and Investment Officer Tanya Rabot Tan, renovations, repairs, and structure updates of the old airport in Mati City had already been discussed and planned for its revival. She said they are hoping that the airport will be operational within the year although she said she couldn’t yet disclose the amount they plan to allot for its renovation.

Last year, Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang said that a team from CAAP had already conducted ocular inspection in the area.

“We already have an airport but it is not operating because the runway needs expansion and facilities need to be improved. At present, the airport cannot accommodate commercial flights, only chartered and light planes,” he said in an earlier interview.

Two families owned land areas covered by the Mati airport. Its terminal and apron sat on the land owned by the Rabats while the 1,628.85-meter runway is located on an area owned by the Rocamoras. This land ownership between two families had been hovering over the plan of reviving the airport, however Tan said last Monday, June 4, that is no longer an issue between the two families.

“It’s not really a problem but the ownership remains to the Rocamoras and the Rabats…Both the families are willing and they want the airport to be pushed through already because it’s good for Mati,” she said.

Dayanghirang also said that the revival of the old airport is part of their plan of developing and improving Mati City’s tourism infrastructure from roads, to airports, ports, and terminals. (with reports from ASP)