Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco Salazar has confirmed that the project for the construction of the new Zamboanga International Airport (ZIA) was removed from the build build build program of the national government to give way for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) response.
“The city had a report listing that the ZIA were among the projects that were removed from the build build build to give way for the expenditure of Covid response.” Salazar said during a virtual press conference.
Meanwhile, on the initial funding for the airport, the mayor said no money was downloaded to the city.
“We received reports even from our city treasurer the money identified supposedly downloaded for the acquisition of property (referring to the new airport) was never downloaded.” the mayor said.
Recall, Second District Congressman Manuel Jose Dalipe was able to get an initial funding of P200 million for the acquisition of property for the new airport.
He said, he plans to fly to Manila to personally check on the matter.
The city’s airport is located in the heart of the city and the city is planning to transfer it to barangay Mercedes. (R.G. Antonet A. Go)