The Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City would be better off once it is being driven by a wholly devoted public corporate entity, just like the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, a lawmaker said on Sunday.
“Mindanao’s international gateway deserves its own corporate body that can truly concentrate in running an airport with world-class facilities, superior passenger and cargo services, and highly improved safety and security based on the best aviation standards,” said Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, a member of the House committee on transportation.
At present, FBIA is still being operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, while the country’s gateways in Luzon and Visayas have long been under the management and supervision of the Manila International Airport Authority and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority, both special entities created by law.
“We are absolutely convinced that a dedicated authority for the FBIA will enable the whole of Mindanao to take full economic advantage of a highly efficient international airport,” Pimentel, hwo is also a member of the House committee on Mindanao affairs, said.
The bill seeking to establish the Davao International Airport Authority to administer and operate the FBIA has been awaiting approval since the 16th Congress.
The measure has been revived in the 17th Congress by Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri and Deputy Speaker and Davao City Rep. Mylene Garcia-Albano.
“We ought to relieve the CAAP of the burden of running the country’s third busiest airport. We have to allow the CAAP to focus on its regulatory mission, especially now that we have to protect a rapidly growing number of planes and passengers in-flight at any given time owing to the air travel boom,” Pimentel said.
As proposed, the DIAA shall be a public corporate body governed by an 11-member board of directors, to include a general manager; four members from the private sector who are residents of Davao City or the Province of Davao, all to be appointed by the President for a four-year term; and the governor of the Province of Davao or his authorized representative.