Bautista leads groundbreaking for Laguindingan Airport expansion

LAGUINDINGAN, Misamis Oriental, Philippines — Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista led the groundbreaking for the expansion of the Laguindingan Airport in this province on Sunday.

In a speech, Bautista stressed the need to expand the airport immediately, citing pressing concerns aired by travelers and the lack of facilities at the airport.

“We have awarded the expansion project to a contractor and they assured us that this will be completed within the next six months,” Bautista said.

Rep. Yevgeny Emano of the second district of Misamis Oriental thanked President Marcos and former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as well as Bautista for making the project a reality.

Emano said the airport needs upgrading to fully serve travelers.

Earlier, the city council of Cagayan de Oro introduced two resolutions urging the government to expedite the expansion of the Laguindingan Airport.

Councilor Edgar Cabanlas presented a report showing the airport lagging behind similar facilities in the country.

Cabanlas said the Laguindingan Airport should have been the premier airport in Mindanao, but due to lack of improvement, the facility failed to attain such status.