THE local government, through the Office of the City Engineer, has started surveying activities for the proposed new International Airport Development Project in the east coast of Zamboanga City.
The new airport site is within the boundaries of Mercedes and Talabaan villages some 13 kilometers away from City Hall.
Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said that with the ongoing survey activities, the local government aims to begin the appraisal of land parcels by May.
Salazar accompanied by City Administrator Michael Angelo Saavedra and Jessie Lapinid, assistant planning officer, inspected Wednesday, April 13, the initial survey activities for the proposed new international airport project.
The proposed New Zamboanga International Airport Development is a priority project of the City Government pursuant to the City's Comprehensive Land Use Plan, Salazar said.
The present site of the Zamboanga International Airport (ZIA) within the boundaries of Sta. Maria and San Roque villages is eyed for conversion into a commercial center.
Salazar said the local government and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) have entered into a memorandum of agreement for the utilization of the P200 million fund for the proposed new international airport project.
She said that the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), through an Agency-to-Agency Agreement, was issued a Notice to Proceed for the appraisal of affected land parcels at the proposed airport site.
Salazar said that initial appraisal report by LBP is expected for submission to the City Government on or before June 10, 2022. (SunStar Zamboanga)