By Aerol John Pateña | PNA
MANILA — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is eyeing the transfer of general aviation flights to Sangley Point in Cavite within the year once the ongoing rehabilitation works at the Danilo Atienza Air Base are completed.
DOTr Undersecretary for Aviation Manuel Tamayo said the department has allocated a budget of PHP500 million for the rehabilitation, which is expected to be completed within the year.
“It has not been maintained for a long time. The runway was shortened to 1,200 meters. Now, I’m happy to tell you it’s back to 2,300 meters. It has been completed two months ago,” Tamayo told reporters in an interview last week.
“Now what we are constructing are the hangars and the passenger terminal building. We’ll be setting up a new tower and that will be developed to be night rated as well,” he added.
“This should be operational within the year. Once this is operational, we will push (transfer of general aviation flights),” Tamayo said.
The DOTr intends to develop the airbase into an airport for business jets and low-cost carriers to decongest air traffic at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
The Cavite provincial government has submitted a proposal to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) last year, which involves adding two runways at the former US naval base that will be undertaken through a partnership with a Chinese firm.
NEDA returned the proposal to the local government earlier this year because of lack of financial details.
The Cavite government is eyeing to raise PHP200 billion through bond issuance to finance the Sangley Airport proposal. DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade has given the provincial government until the middle of the year to finalize its proposal.
