NINETEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regu/ar Sessron
)
)
)
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
I ntrod ucellbyBep1949n ta,!i;ve Ruf u s p. Rodriguez
EXPLANATORY NOTE
During the administration of President Benigno Aquino lll the NEDA was directed to
study the feasibility and placement of an airport more central in Mindanao so that distances to
and from various areas will make more economic sense.
This is very apt because many provinces would principally benefit from the construction
of an airport in the center of Mindanao including the provinces comprising the
SOCCSKSARGEN region and Bukidnon.
Central Mindanao comprises the provinces of Lanao del Sur, North Cotabato, and
Sultan Kudarat as constituent provinces and with the addition of South
Cotabato and Sarangani, the region was renamed as SOCCSKSARGEN.
Lanao del Norte's boundary on the north is lligan Bay, south is Moro Gulf and Lanao
del Sur, northeast is the province of Misamis Oriental and east is Bukidnon. North Cotabato is
bound on the north by Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon, on the south by Sultan Kudarat, on the
west by Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur. Since it is in a typhoon free area, it good potential
for agribusiness and agro-industrial enterprises.
SOCCSKSARGEN has 3 components cities, 1 independent city and t highly urbanized
city, and these cities are vital to the region's existence. Cotabato City is the regional center of
the ARMM; General Santos City is dubbed as the 'Tuna Capital of the Philippines" because
of the bountiful existence of Yellow fin Tuna in Sarangani Bay, and it serves as the center of
the Metropolitan and the center of trade and industry of SOCCSKARGEN; Kidapawan City is
hailed as 'A Spring in the Highland", and is found at the bottom of the majestic Mt. Apo and at
the southeastem section of Cotabato province, placed in the middle of three other major cities
of Davao, Cotabato, General Santos and Koronadal; Koronadal City is dubbed as the "Sports
Mecca ofthe South" because of the hosting 2 Palarong Pambansa, National Secondary Press
Conference and the Mindanao Buslness Conference and it is the Regional Center of
SOCCSKSARGEN; and Tacurong City is the only city of Sultan Kudarat and is famous of its
Bird Sanctuary.
The region has extensive coastlines, valleys and mountain ranges. Known for its river
system, the region is the catch basin of Mindanao. The system is a rich source of food, potable
water and energy production.
Bukidnon is a landlocked province located in the North Central Mindanao. The
province borders are Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte, Cotabato, Lanao
del Sur, and Lanao del Norte. lt is considered by Filipinos to be the food basket of Mindanao
and it is the major producer of rice and corn in the region. Plantations in the province also
produce pineapples, bananas and sugarcane. There are no airports and seaports in the
province. Bukidnon also hosts American, Chinese, lndonesian, Koreans and British residents
who are engaged in business, trade, research, study, tourism and mission work. Aside from
colorful cultures and traditions of the province, Bukidnon also boasts gorgeous natural sites
House Bllt No.
July 6, 2022
5:53 pm
1460


and man-made attractions like Asia's longest Dual Cable ZipJine at the Dahilayan Adventure
Park in Manolo Fortich.
It is thus very apparent that this part of Mindanao is very vital to the Philippines, with
all its tourist sites, cultural heritage and food production capabilities.
For many of these provinces, the nearest airport is the Laguindingan airport in Misamis
Oriental which is considerably far from the center of Mindanao. The airports at Davao City,
General Santos and Cotabato are likewise coastal airports and quite far from Mindanao's
central area. lt thus becomes difficult for tourists and would be tourists to go to the various
tourist sites and attractions that the region has to offer. Also, an airport would makes it easy
for farmers and producers of different produces to transport their products to anywhere in the
country. An airport would also provide additional business, investment and employment
opportunities because the region, given its very strategic location would now be more
accessible to nearby countries like and allows it to establish trade relations with Brunei,
lndonesia and Malaysia.
The proximity of a new airport to these provinces offers great opportunities for
industries in which direct access to either air cargo or passenger flights is of paramount
importance. Aside from the fact that airports facilitate commerce, they also serve as economic
engines, and their direct, indirect and induced benefits accrue throughout the rest of the
community as well.
ln view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
RU
SB.R
uEz


NINETEENTH GONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Frrst Regu/ar Session
)
)
)
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
lntroduced hv Representative Rufus B, Rodriguez
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND CONSTRUCTION OF AN
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IN THE CENTER OF MINDANAO, PARTICULARLY IN THE
AREA BETWEEN DAMULOG, BUKIDNON lN THE NORTH; ANTIPAS, NORTH
COTABATO IN THE EAST; GARMEN, NORTH COTABATO IN THE SOUTH; AND
ALAMADA, NORTH COTABATO IN THE WEST, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR
Be it enacted by fhe Serafe and House of the Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
SECTION 1. There shall be established and constructed an lnternational Airport in the center
of Mindanao, particularly in the area located in between Damulog, Bukidnon in the north;
Antipas, North Cotabato in the east; Carmen, North Cotabato in the south; and Alamada, North
Cotabato in the west, to be known as the Mindanao Central lnternational Airport.
SEG 2. Such amount as may be necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be charged
to the appropriations of the Department of Transportation and Communications.
Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the operations and maintenance of
said airport shall be included in the succeeding General Appropriations Acts.
SEC 3. Separab ility Clause - lf for any reason, any part of or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, such parts not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 4. Repealing C/ause - Any law, executive order, letter of instruction, rules and
regulations, circulars, issuances or any part thereof inconsistent with any of the provisions of
this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.
s,EC.5. Effectivw - This Act shall take effect fifteen ('15) days after its publication in at least
two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
House Bill No, 1460