Del Monte Air Strip to Rise Again!

LGU Manolo Fortich and Del Monte Philippines Inc. Share Vision

Days after the delivery of the historical marker from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines for the Del Monte Air Strip located at Camp 3, in between Barangays Dicklum and Sankanan in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, leaders from the Local Government Unit of Manolo Fortich held a coordination meeting and updating with Atty. Marco Parpan as representative of the Del Monte Philippines, Inc. to present plans for the Del Monte Air Strip after being recognized as a historical site.

The 7-kilometer Del Monte Air Strip is now considered as a Historical Site of the National Historical Commission due to the role it served as a refuge to aircrafts after the bombings made by the Japanese at the Luzon airport in 1941 during World War II. The air strip served as a base for the aircrafts who attacked the Japanese armies in Vigan, Legaspi, and Lingayen from December 10-14, 1941 and as landing area for the relief goods sent for the Filipinos and Americans in Bataan.

Headed by Vice Mayor Reynaldo Bagayas Jr. with Municipal Administrator Engr. Joie Caesar M. Gaid, LGU Manolo Fortich presented plans regarding the landmark and the potentials of the land area. A 16-feet landmark is hoped to be built at the site with the permission of DMPI and the Del Monte Phils. Inc. Employees Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative or commonly known as DEARBC.

According to Vice Mayor Bagayas, the initiative to promote the said site was pushed through seven years ago by former municipal mayor and now Bukidnon Vice Governor Clive D. Quiño. “Out of the five air strips dinhi sa Manolo Fortich, kini lang siya ang naa pay potential nga ma re-open as per survey and analysis. Now we see this as an opportunity nga if ma re-open nato as general aviation, pwede siya ma part sa aerotropolis sa Cagayan de Oro, pwede siya nga strategic area for disaster response, business opportunity and many more ideas ba nga that could give more employment opportunities to the people.”

Lorraine A. Requinton from LEDIPO (Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office), Tourism Committee Chair Councilor Rina E. Quiño, and Municipal Planning and Development Office representative Sybreen Marsh Velasco were also in the meeting to present inputs regarding the concepts, proposals and intentions regarding the potential of the field as a tourism site and general aviation service area as stated in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, recommended by CAAP (Civil Avaiation Authority of the Philippines) and initial meeting with the NDC (National Development Council) respectively.

In response to the agenda presented, Atty. Marco Parpan advised to finalize the plan regarding the marker. “Ang sa kadtong historical marker, akong kailangan nga data if asa jud ibutang para makita unsa nga areas ang concern. Kay if sa DEARBC, ma-istoryahan na daan regarding sa mga pinya nga affected. As to the general aviation, daghan paman requirements ato so let’s see later on. ”

The next intention of the team, as per Municipal Administrator Gaid is to present to the DMPI executives to showcase the proposal. “We hope to present to the DMPI execs jud para makita nila our intentions. We would just like to improve the economic situation of the LGU which also translates to more employment, more projects nga mamahimo para sa constituents.”