Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

~ 908
HOUSE BILL NO. 2908

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE CHEENO MIGUEL D. 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. Itnow
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, it is 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 alternate 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.

Asimilar version of this bill was previously filed by Hon. Joel Mayo Z. Almario

during 18" Congresses. Support for this bill is earnestly sought.

CHEENO MIGUEL D. ALMARIO,,
Represtntative \

24 District, Davao Oriental



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2308

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE CHEENO MIGUEL D. 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,

CTION 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.


17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28

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.

raed
4

Nw