Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 394

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE CHEENO MIGUEL D. ALMARIO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Tourism development 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, 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.

A similar version of this bill was previously filed by Hon. Joel Mayo Z. Almario
during 18% Congresses and was previously filed by this representation during the 19"

Congress. Support for this bill is earnestly sought.



CoNyanuaewune

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
TWENTIETH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 394

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.

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


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

Approved.