The Department of Transportation (DoTr) has proposed an additional allocation of P500M for the New Zamboanga International Airport (NZIA) in the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP).
Acting Mayor Maria Isabelle “Beng” Climaco-Salazar said yesterday that DoTr officials informed her about the department’s proposal during a coordination meeting at the City Hall conference room on Friday. The meeting was also attended by city officials led by the Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Mayor, Celso Lobregat.
According to Climaco-Salazar, the DoTr is proposing P500 million more, in addition to the P130 million included in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) for the NZIA development.
Right-of-way
The amount Salazar said was specifically intended for the purchase of lots for road right-of-way and other structures at the NZIA site.
On the other hand, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) is adopting the NZIA as one of its ‘big ticket’ projects, citing its potential to improve connectivity and ease commuter concerns.
MinDA Western Mindanao Area Management Office (AMO-WM-AMO) Focal for Zamboanga, Cecille La Plana, said the authority is working on the possibility of including the project in the Public Private Partnership (PPP) program to help expedite the early completion of the project.
Climaco and Lobregat, through the guidance of Mayor Khymer Olaso, shared significant inputs during the coordination meeting at the City Hall conference room.
They also suggested that further studies must be conducted on the new location where the Edwin Andrews Air Base (EAAB) will be relocated in Barangay Mercedes.
But pending the study for the relocation site, Climaco said the Department of National Defense should include an allocation in the GAA for the transfer of the EAAB to Barangay Mercedes.
The proposed site is said to be an irrigation area, and pushing through with the project will impact the lives and livelihoods of farmers and the environment.
Total expenses
Meanwhile, as of 18 July 2025, total expenses for lot acquisition, payment of structures, and other initial expenses have already reached P1.849 billion.
A total of 135 parcels of land were fully paid, amounting to P932 million; 188 lots partially paid (P725 million), 25 lots expropriated (P62,530), and miscellaneous payments amounting to P419,276.