KIDAPAWAN CITY -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led Tuesday's inaugural drive through of the 2.7-kilometer completed section of the Banisilan-Alamada-Libungan road in Banisilan, North Cotabato.

The President, who arrived at the area, around 12 noon, was greeted by Cotabato Governor Jesus Sacdalan, Cotabato 1st district congresswoman Lala Talinio-Mendoza, Banisilan Mayor Betty Allado, and other government officials.

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Afterwards, Arroyo, together with director Sinaulan Macarambom of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Davao Region and local government unit officials, rode on a top down jeep as they drove through the highway for an inspection.

The project, according to Director Olivia Sudaria of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Davao Region, costs some P67 million and considered one of the major road projects of the DPWH in Central Mindanao.

The money used to construct the road had come from the regular infrastructure funds of the DPWH for 2009.

The road connects Libungan town to towns of Banisilan and Alamada in North Cotabato and Wao in Lanao del Sur.

Meantime, Arroyo's inspection of North Cotabato's first rural airport in M'lang town was canceled at the last minute.

According to North Cotabato Governor Jesus Sacdalan, the president decided to cancel the site visit after she learned that the airport building was only 80 percent completed.

"The report was based on the assessment made by the Presidential Management Staff. The PMS had first visited the area and said the building was only 80 percent complete. The President would soon visit the area once the project is fully complete," Sacdalan said.

The airport is located in Barangay Tawan-Tawan in M'lang, some two hours travel from Kidapawan City.

Arroyo was supposed to inaugurate the province's first rural airport. But for the third time, it did not push through.

It was first scheduled last September then reset to October.

Sacdalan said once the project is completed, Malacañang will schedule its inauguration.