In the effort to enhance transportation infrastructure and services in the BARMM, the Ministry of Transportation, through the Bangsamoro Airport Authority (BAA), spearheaded by Atty. Hanamir Emblawa, CPA, OIC-Director I, Airport Managers Carmencita Salik and Johari Musa, and the rest of the team members conducted an ocular inspection for the proposed site facility of the Bangsamoro International Airport at Barangay Tambo in Sultan Mastura Municipality, Maguindanao Del Norte, approximately 18 kilometers North of Cotabato City on August 3, 2024.
In view to gain valuable input and coordination with the local government authorities in the municipality with their preparation of plans, the Airport management team chose its priorities to pay a courtesy visit to Honorable Mayor Zulfikar Ali Panda to give him an overview and evaluation of the candidate sites, orient him with some legal requirements, projections, and factors which may contribute to the potentiality of the area in consideration of the above initial assessment conducted by JICA as the optimal site for the establishment of the New Cotabato Airport as it is financially and economically viable. Besides, the BARMM has promoted this area as the optimal site for the New Cotabato Airport.
Mayor Panda manifested his wholehearted support for the plan as he eyed this project to boost the local economy in Sultan Mastura.
To give a sense of scale, the new assessment report of the Cotabato City Airport under the data collection survey of the urban infrastructure development in greater Cotabato City Awang Airport, at present, is observed to be operating below the international standard. In particular, the present location of the airport has continuously raised safety concerns regarding air navigation.
Director Emblawa said, “This is just the beginning of more intent collaborations from BAA and MOTC to the LGU of SM, as there are concerns to be established in the future undertakings relative to the development of this endeavor.”