The Department of Transportation (DOTr) have inaugurated the much-improved Zamboanga International Airport (ZIA) Tuesday morning.
DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, along with Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Jim Sydiongco, and local officials Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco Salazar, First District Congressman Cesar Jimenez Jr., and Councilor John Dalipe.
Among the completed development projects at the airport are the expansion and enhancement of the Passenger Terminal Building (PTB), as well as the construction of the Malasakit Hall and GAD Multipurpose Hall.
The Rehabilitation/Reconfiguration of the Existing Passenger Terminal Building amounts to ₱ 45,000,000.00, Conversion of Existing Concession Building to Malasakit Hall ₱ 4,099,999.74 and construction of GAD Multipurpose Hall ₱ 18,175,221.18.
Recall, Secretary Tugade visited the airport last March 2018 and witnessed its very poor state. He immediately directed CAAP to ensure the swift and successful realization of the ZIA’s rehabilitation project, including its seamless and efficient operations.
The airport’s PTB can accommodate 750 passengers at any given time, compared to its previous passenger capacity of 500.
Moreover, several projects for the airport are underway such as the repair and asphalt overlay of the runway, and the grading of the runway strip for a safer and smoother landing of aircrafts.
ZIA is one of the busiest airports in Mindanao, the completed and ongoing projects will surely provide enhanced air connectivity and mobility, as well as usher economic progress, tourism, commerce and livelihood opportunities not just in Zamboanga, but in the entire Mindanao.