SECOND district Representative Manuel Jose Dalipe, II, announced that the national government has allocated P200 million to purchase properties in preparation for the transfer of the Zamboanga International Airport (ZIA) to another location.
Dalipe said the P200 million allocation is part of the P2.5 billion funds to be used in acquiring properties in the area where to transfer the airport.
The airport is set to be transferred to the village of Mercedes 12.75 kilometers east of City Hall. The current location of the airport is eyed to be converted into a commercial center.
Dalipe said he met with Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Manuel Tamayo of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and discussed the utilization of the initial funding of P200 intended for land acquisition.
He said the National Government has already identified the exact location where to transfer the airport and is set to hold dialogues with the lot owners that will be purchased.
The village of Mercedes had long been identified as the ideal site where to transfer the airport. It is within the commercial and residential zones of Zamboanga City. (SunStar Philippines)