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Z pare. SEP_0 3

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4393

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE JOEL MAYO Z. ALMARIO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Tourism development, being one of the priorities of the Duterte Administration,
entails world-class international airports that would also enhance trade and sustainable
development. The Davao International Airport, the third biggest airport in the country,
likewise experienced a drastic increase in travel. It now exceeds its passenger capacity of 2.2
million with its current passenger volume of 4.4 million (2018 data). It also welcomed a host
of foreign airlines including Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Garuda Air, and Cathay
Pacific, among others. Despite the increase in flights and influx of travelers, the physical
expansion of the Davao International Airport beyond its total land area of 217 hectares is no
longer an option, given the existing and future developments in the vicinity surrounding the
airport. By 2050, itis estimated that air traffic to Mindanao could reach 15.5 million for both
domestic and foreign passengers.

Given the new development in travel, trade and commerce, it is imperative that an
official altérnate airport to the Davao International Airport be established. Not only will this
alternate airport play a secondary role to the much-utilized Davao International Airport, but
it will also be used for flight diversions in case of bad weather in Davao City, runway
congestions, and other similar circumstances.

‘The best viable option is to designate Mati Airport in the City of Mati, capital of Davao
Oriental, as the official alternate airport to Davao International Airport. Mati Airport is 35.5
nautical miles or 65.8 kilometers from Davao City and is the nearest existing fully operational
airport in terms of flight distance. It has 1.63 kilometers of concrete runway, an apron, and
an existing terminal building. Moreover, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has
already earmarked P200 million in FY 2019 for the improvement of Mati Airport, including
the extension of its runways, thereby making it the most ideal and financially viable alternate
airport. :

By land travel, the City of Mati is 155 kilometers to Davao City on very well-paved

roads. The city itself has sufficient number of hotels, business establishments, and tourist
attractions to support incoming and outgoing airline passengers.

Support for this bill is earnestly sought. .

2n4 District, Davao Oriental


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4393

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE JOEL MAYO Z. ALMARIO

AN ACT
DESIGNATING MATI AIRPORT IN DAVAO ORIENTAL AS THE OFFICIAL ALTERNATE
AIRPORT TO THE DAVAO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. MASTERPLAN DEVELOPMENT - The Department of Transportation (DoTr)
shall hereby draft a masterplan for the immediate transformation of Mati Airport as the
official alternate to the Davao International Airport, including budgetary costs for its
development and operations; infrastructure, facilities, and refueling capability upgrades;
improvement of runways; installation of navigation instruments; and other such
requirements, according to the standards, rules and regulations set by the International Civil
Aviation Organization and other appropriate aeronautics oversight bodies.

SECTION 2. FUNDING - Apart from existing DoTr funding earmarked for the development
of Mati Airport, the DoTr may secure possible public-private partnership arrangements,
official development assistance, or other available support funds to implement this Act.
Moreover, such sum as may be needed for the operation and maintenance of Mati Airport as
the official alternate airport to the Davao International Airport shall be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 3. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full
force and effect.

SECTION 4. REPEALING CLAUSE - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations,
and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby
repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 5. EFFECTIVITY - This Act shall take effect 15 days after its publication in the
Official Gazette.

Approved.