The construction of another airport in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental is underway soon with additional national government funding to complete the more than PHP1-billion project.

Sixth District Provincial Board Member Jeffrey Tubola, a former city councilor, said on Tuesday the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has proposed the inclusion of PHP855 million in the 2023 national budget for the completion of the project, including the passenger terminal.

“Light planes can now land there with the construction of the 1.32-kilometer runway,” Tubola said over the Provincial Capitol’s Radyo Negrense.

The development of the airport, situated on a 104-hectare lot in Barangay Hilamonan, began in 2007.

Previously, the DOTr allocated PHP90 million for the airport project aside from the PHP120 million budget by the city government and the PHP30 million financial assistance from the provincial government.

“Kabankalan is a progressive city, it’s in the center of Negros Island which is a strategic location,” Tubola said.

It is a border city of Negros Occidental in the south alongside Mabinay town in Negros Oriental.

“The Dumaguete City airport is a bit far while the Bacolod airport has already transferred to Silay City,” Tubola said.

He said Kabankalan would also become one of the regional centers in the proposed creation of the Negros Island Region.

Last March, the DOTr and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines listed the Kabankalan Airport as among those with completed projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program. (PNA)