EDITORIAL - Waiting for modernization

The repairs started in mid-December last year and were supposed to be finished by early February. But the rehabilitation of the airport in Maguindanao is not even 50 percent done, according to local officials, who lament that the delay is hurting economic activities in the region. Flights between Manila and Cotabato City, seat of government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, have reportedly been cut by half since the airport repair started.

Logistics is difficult enough in the ARMM, one of the least developed regions in the country. Now travelers and supplies must first go to the cities of Davao or General Santos to reach Maguindanao and the rest of the ARMM. The added logistics costs are expected to be passed on to consumers. Businessmen, supported by the local government, are asking the Department of Transportation and Communications to speed up the airport repair.

While addressing this problem, the DOTC should also rush improvements in several other airports across the country. The Laguindingan International Airport in Misamis Oriental, which is supposed to serve Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City, was inaugurated by President Aquino himself last year. The airport, however, is still waiting for night landing navigation equipment to become fully functional. This lack has prompted critics to call it the “hindi ma-landingan airport.” It would be laughable if it didn’t have such a harmful impact on the local economy.

Laguindingan is not the only airport without night landing capability. The wait for this basic necessity for any modern airport has aggravated congestion and consequent flight delays at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and domestic airport in Manila.

In an archipelago of 7,100 islands, fully functional, modern airports play a critical role in stimulating economic development. The Maguindanao airport is needed especially with the Bangsamoro peace agreement expected to be signed soon. The modernization of airports across the country must be given urgent attention by the government.