News Update Laguindingan Int'l Airport to be Operational in 2012

LAGUINDINGAN, Misamis Oriental - The construction of the P7.853-billion ($167.09 million) international airport here is now 70 percent completed, Engineer Ryan Gico of the Laguindingan Airport Development Project Management Office (LADPMO) said Sunday.The construction of the new airport started in January 2008 and is expected to be operational by January 2012.Gico said the access road leading to the airport was completed in January 2010 while land acquisition for the main airport area is 99.24 percent accomplished with 390.95 hectares already acquired out of the 393.94-hectare requirement.The Regional Development Council in Region 10 (RDC 10) said that the Department of Transportation and Communications, (DoTC's) payment for the remaining 2.99 hectares is in process and will not affect the implementation of the project.Gico said about 372 families have been relocated - 134 families at the Phase 1 resettlement site in Barangay San Isidro, and 238 families at the Phase 2 resettlement site in Barangay Tubajon, both in this town.RDC 10 reported that the air navigation system and support facilities of the project which will cost some P755.24 million ($16.07 million) will be financed by the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) of the Korean government ($13.38 million), and the Government of the Philippines ($2.69 million).Gico said bid documents have been submitted to the DoTC Bids and Awards Committee for approval after the Internal Committee of the KEXIM Bank had approved the project on July 23, 2010.The Laguindingan International Airport is set for completion on the last month of next year and will be open to airlines on the first month of 2012.The airport sits on a 4.17-square kilometer site in this town's Moog village and it is located 46 kilometers from the Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro City.Once completed, it will be the fourth international airport in Mindanao, after the Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City, Zamboanga International Airport in Zamboanga City; and the General Santos International Airport in General Santos City.