President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law creating the Davao International Airport Authority (DIAA), an agency tasked to manage and supervise the Francisco Bangoy International Airport as well as all other airports to be established in the Davao region.
Republic Act (RA) No. 11457, signed by Duterte on August 30, vests DIAA with the authority to administer and operate Francisco Bangoy International Airport, also known as Davao International Airport, while also transferring to the new authority the airport’s existing assets.
The law aims to encourage, promote, and develop domestic and international air traffic in the Davao region “as a means of making the region a center of international trade and tourism, and accelerating the development of the means of transportation and communication in the country.”
DIAA, which will be an attached agency of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), is mandated to formulate a comprehensive and integrated development policy and program for the Davao airport.
It is also tasked to control, supervise, construct, maintain, operate, and provide the facilities or services necessary for the airport to function efficiently, in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization standards. DIAA also has the authority to exercise police powers within its premises or areas of operation.
All ongoing projects relating to the construction of the airport’s facilities and supply of equipment will also be administered and undertaken by DIAA.
Chelsea Logistics and Infrastructure Holdings Corp. currently has an unsolicited proposal to develop, operate, and manage the Davao airport. Its unsolicited proposal has been endorsed by DOTr to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)’s Investment Coordination Committee for review and approval.
The current general manager of the Davao airport will continue in office until a general manager is appointed pursuant to RA 11457. Officials and employees whose services are terminated will, if not eligible for retirement, be given gratuities equivalent to one month’s salary for every year of continuous satisfactory service based on the highest salary received, in addition to other benefits accorded by existing laws.
