The Kabankalan City government is preparing to buy a 60-hectare property in Barangay Hilamonan, Kabankalan, as the site of an airport estimated to cost P200 million, Acting Negros Occidental Gov. Isidro Zayco said yesterday.

He said the sugarland to be purchased at Voluntary Offer to Sell rates is expected to cost about P12 million.

The 60-hectare property belongs to about 25 owners who have agreed to sell and a meeting is set between them and Mayor Pedro Zayco Wednesday, Zayco said.

The survey of the land to be purchased has already been completed so the landowners will be informed of what is to be purchased from them, he said.

The site is located on a plateau so it will be flood free, Zayco added.

The building of the airport, which location and design has been approved by the Air Transportation Office, is expected to take three years, Zayco said.

The new airport, that will initially allow the landing of small aircraft, is expected to boost tourism and economic activity in southern Negros, he said.

The new airport will enable faster transport of tourists and cargo in and out of southern Negros, Zayco said.

The ATO, our consultant, said they will be the ones to eventually look for the flights, he added.

Gov. Joseph Marañon has committed a counterpart fund for the project, Zayco said.*CPG

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