Mayor Khymer Olaso Friday morning, October 3, met with the officials of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP-9) to discuss the proposed improvements at the Zamboanga International Airport (ZIA) and its surrounding areas.

The meeting followed his initial inspection of ZIA on September 19, where he personally reviewed the airport’s conditions and shared preliminary plans to address persistent issues. While CAAP-9 presented their proposed plans, Mayor Olaso emphasized that several pressing concerns still need urgent attention, particularly flood control, traffic congestion and safety.

At the top of his agenda is flood control in and around the airport, a long-standing issue that hampers mobility and compromises public safety. Mayor Olaso stressed that effective drainage systems, including additional canals, must be established to allow rainwater and tidal flows to properly discharge into the sea, reducing flooding and easing traffic congestion in the area.

To support this, he proposed the construction of five-meter-wide and three-to-four-meter-deep canals, along with a pumping station to mitigate heavy flooding. He also urged the redesign of access roads and the installation of solar-powered streetlights to strengthen airport infrastructure and improve safety for travelers and motorists.

Mayor Olaso said these improvements would not only address immediate concerns but also deliver long-term benefits for Zamboanga City, including enhanced passenger safety, reduced congestion, increase tourism and raise local revenues, while positioning ZIA as a more competitive gateway in Mindanao.

He reiterated the local government’s willingness to partner with CAAP-9, committing city resources to design and build access roads that will complement the airport’s improvements.

“The local government is ready to help and provide funding, but we need the full cooperation of CAAP-9 to deliver these improvements,” Mayor Olaso said.

Olaso emphasized further that the city government is not only offering words but concrete action, as long as these efforts translate into real benefits for Zamboangueños. (Arvin Midel) (photo credits: Kathy Wee Sit)