TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines– Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba on Monday, August 21, clarified he is not proposing for the relocation of the Tuguegarao Domestic Airport to Solana-Tuao-Piat areas.
In a phone interview with The Northern Forum, Mamba said the transfer of Tuguegarao airport is only seen as “possible consequence” of the plan to put up an international airport in Piat-Amulung town.
The city government of Tuguegarao recently invited business owners and managers for a dialogue “in line with the proposal of Governor Manuel Mamba, re relocation of Tuguegarao Airport at the Solana-Piat-Tuao.” The dialogue was set on Tuesday, August 22 at Hotel Carmelita.
Mamba, however, cleared that there was no direct proposal for the transfer.
“It may happen 10 to 15 years after. It’s not meant to close it. I see it as consequence once we succeed in the putting up of an international airport in Piat,” Mamba told The Northern Forum.
Mamba added that the transfer may “open new opportunity” for Tuguegarao as the site of the aiport might be used for new financial, residential and commercial establishments.
He said the city will be needing a new site as its commercial center soon because the most areas have already been urbanized, while some cannot be turned into commercial center due to flood threats.
“In fact, ongoing ang upgrading ng Tuguegarao airport to cater night flights,” Mamba added, saying that the airport could no longer converted into international due to its limited land size.
With Cauayan City’s plan to also put up an international airport, Mamba said, “I could not let that we will not have our own airport.”
He also defended his plan to put up an international airport in Piat as it would be a “strategic” site for passengers going to areas of Cagayan, Isabela, and the Cordillera provinces. Northernforum.net
