ZAMBOANGA City Mayor John M. Dalipe has signed the deed of sale for 20 of 44 lots that will be used as site for the new Zamboanga International airport.
In a statement on Wednesday, the city government said the contracts were signed Friday following the recent installation of a marker for the airport project located about 17 kilometers east of the city center.
State-owned LANDBANK of the Philippines has appraised the 44 properties needed for the airport, of which 10 are pending negotiations for purchase.
An ordinance issued by the city council has designated the entire 175 hectares as a Utility, Transportation, and Services Zone for the airport, which means any structure built within the area starting Sept. 1 will no longer be compensated by the government.
The city said the planned international airport will cost about P13.9 billion.
Once completed, the new airport is expected to accommodate eight million passengers a year.
An initial funding of P200 million has been allocated for the land acquisition, with P180 million already downloaded to the local government.
The existing Zamboanga International Airport, located in the congested city center area, is planned for conversion into a commercial complex. — MSJ