DAVAO Oriental has laid the foundation for the nearly P1-billion Mati City Airport Development Project on a 58-hectare property in Barangay Dahican.
The ceremony was attended by key officials, including 2nd District Representative Cheeno Miguel Almario, his wife PBA Partylist Rep. Migs Nograles-Almario, former 2nd District Rep. Joel Mayo Almario, 1st District Rep. Nelson Dayanghirang, and Engr. Eduardo Mangalili of the Department of Transportation.
Joel highlighted the event as a milestone in the province’s long-standing efforts to establish Mati City as a tourism and investment hub. He underscored the airport’s significance for the entire province, stating, “The Mati City Airport is for everybody.”
He also revealed that the actual groundbreaking took place on January 2, when heavy equipment began site preparations.
"We are here gathering for the foundation laying not to compete but to complete the picture," he said.
Meanwhile, Cheeno announced an additional P700 million in funding secured through collaborative efforts with his wife, Dayanghirang, Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, and Sen. JV Ejercito.
The allocation, included in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), provides P300 million for asphalt overlaying of the runway and P400 million for facility upgrades.
"I am very grateful that my wife, Dayanghirang, and Congressman Sandro Marcos and Senator JV Ejercito, they were instrumental in making this dream of every resident of Mati and Davao Oriental come true," Cheeno Almario said.
Established in 1976, the airport—officially named Imelda Romualdez Airport—never took off as a commercial hub due to a lack of demand.
Joel recalled securing P200 million in 2019 for airport development, but legal disputes over land ownership redirected the funds toward settling claims with the property’s heirs.
"However, some issues arose when the heirs of the owners of the property where the airport was put up contested that the property was not actually donated," the elder Almario said.
He explained that the heirs of the original land donors contested the donation after their parents passed away years ago. To resolve the issue, negotiations were held with the heirs, leading to the acquisition of the property at a minimal cost.
"Didto napunta ang P200 million nga dapat sana allocation for the construction of the commercial airport in 2019 The P200 million originally allocated for the commercial airport’s construction in 2019 was instead used to settle the land ownership dispute)," Joe added.
Following this, Cheeno secured an additional P90 million for runway expansion and another P100 million from the initially proposed P300 million budget.
Meanwhile, Dayanghirang emphasized his strong support for the airport project during Joel's tenure, recognizing its vital role in boosting tourism and investment in the province.
"Kung wala lang untay dinautay, kung walay kanya-kanya, mulambo gyud ang probinsya (If only there were no conflicts or personal interests, the province would truly prosper)," Dayanghirang said.
Both Dayanghirang and Almario urged the people of Mati City and Davao Oriental, particularly local leaders, to unite to drive the province toward progress. CEA