STRENGTH

1. Analyse the airport's location.

https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/1000047217_01.pdf#Land%20Demand%20Analysis

The existing Cotabato (Awang) Airport is the most accessible airport for passengers
and cargoes inbound and outbound from Cotabato City, Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat
Provinces and parts of Lanao del Sur and Cotabato Provinces.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), the Awang
Airport belongs to a Class I Principal classification. As such, the facility only serves
domestic destinations and capable of serving jet aircrafts with a capacity of at least 100 seats.
The Awang Airport is located in the municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat (DOS),
Maguindanao. It is about nine kilometers away from center of Cotabato City. The airport has
been in this location for almost six decades already since when the old airport which was
located in the vicinity of the present BARMM Complex along the Governor Gutierrez Avenue
was closed to air traffic in 1960s.
 The Awang Airport started its operations in early 1970s and through time, many of its
facilities had already deteriorated. Thus, in 1998, the DOTC had included Awang Airport to
be part of the Third Airport Development Project (TADP) funded by the loan of the
Government of the Philippines from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The project aimed
to rehabilitate the facilities of six existing airports in Southern Philippines.

Vicinity & Nearby Structures

 PAGASA Weather Station, Awang Airport

 6th Infanty Division Philippine Army Headquarters
 Camp Siongco Station Hospital
 Office of Civil Defense (OCD) -BARMM
 Phillipine Army
 Camp Siongco Golf Driving Range
 Camp Siogco Oval
 Aviation Security Unit - PNP Center
 Camp Siongco Elementary School
 AFP COMMISSARY & EXCHANGE SERVICE (CGS C&X)

Google Earth. (2024). Google.com.

https://earth.google.com/web/search/carmen+cotabato+airport/@7.16096553

New Airport Schemes: Regarding Section 5.2.7, three options were initially presented
as potential sites for new airport development that would replace the existing Awang Airport
due to technical constraints for expanding its capacity. The alternatives for a suitable location
for the new airport development have been identified in the following areas: Cotabato City,
Sultan Mastura Municipality in Maguindanao, or Malabang Municipality in Lanao del Sur
 Awang Airport to embody the economic corridor development in Greater Cotabato.
Investigate the climate and local weather patterns. What are the prevailing climatic
conditions, and how do they impact airport operations?

The climate in Carmen is hot, oppressive, and overcast. Over the course of the year,
the temperature typically varies from 73°F to 95°F and is rarely below 71°F or above 100°F.
Based on the beach/pool score, the best time of year to visit Carmen for hot-weather
activities is from early December to mid April.

Carmen Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Philippines) -

Weather Spark. (n.d.). Weatherspark.com. Retrieved February 7, 2024, from

https://weatherspark.com/y/140603/Average-Weather-in-Carmen-Philippines-Year-
Round

What are the prevailing climatic conditions, and how do they impact airport operations?

Supporting Data Gathering

Local Climate Change 6-Year Action Plan (2016-2020)

The Cotabato City’s CLUP were amended to integrate the Local Climate Change
Action Plan (LCCAP) in line with National Framework Strategy on Climate Change 2010-
2020. The effort by the national government aims to build a roadmap that will serve as the
basis for a national program on climate change and establish an agenda upon which the
Philippines would pursue a dynamic process of determining actions through the National
Climate Change Action Plan process. Basically, it tasked the LGUs to be “the frontline
agencies in the formulation, planning and implementation of climate change action plans in
their respective areas”. Cotabato City’s LCCAP adopted a vision as follows: “A peaceful,
secure, and highly developed multi-cultural climate risk resilient city with thriving and
productive ecosystems”.

https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/12369138_01.pdf?
fbclid=IwAR0mSRBAS2GhPIy5HoR-
dX1Cy553hrRqkkA3xaRkDC1GTVIn0S9HAVZ5raI
 Upper Spatial Strategies Opportunities Challenges
Connectivity  External gateways  Formulating
of the region by the attractive tourism
Awang airport and circuits and
Polloc freeport to promotion to
neighboring Greater Cotabato
regions for trade area destination
and tourism
development

2. Assess the existing design concept of the airport. Does it have room for expansion and
modification to accommodate international flights?

Existing Airport

(1) Runway
(2) Taxiways and Apron
(3) Passenger Terminal Building
(4) Cargo Building

5) Non-Passenger Waiting Area

(6) Administration and Operations Building

(7) Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Facilities

(8) Air Traffic Control Tower and Air Navigation Equipment

(9) Vehicle Parking Area

 (10) Access Road from the Cotabato City-Datu Odin Sinsuat National Highway

Does it have room for expansion and modification to accommodate international flights?

New Airport Proposals: There are several discussions on the development of the future new
airport to replace the existing Awang Airport which is confronted with some technical constraints
on air safety navigation, hence its upgrading may no longer feasible. Three alternative suitable
sites for the new airport development had been identified. These location options are as follows:
1) Cotabato City, this was proposed by the City Government of Cotabato and a Pre-Feasibility
Study has been completed; 2) Sultan Mastura municipality in Maguindanao, which is about 15
km. from Cotabato City and 11 km. from Polloc Port; and, 3) Malabang municipality in Lanao del
 Sur, this is midway between Cotabato City and Marawi City, the site is the old airport owned by
CAAP. However, the proposal for the development of a new airport may still take substantial time
before it is approved and implemented, thus, this may not be discussed comprehensively in this
project. But it is acknowledged that wherever the location of the new airport, it would have a
great impact on the future development of Cotabato City.
MSS / DF 2015 - 2045

Strategy Key Strategy and Policy Key Priority Programs,

Option Activities, Projects
Connectivity Air transport (upgrading in Awang Airport expansion,
compliance with ICAO Bangsamoro International
requirements) Airport Project (F/S)

3. Research the current infrastructure, facilities, and services of the domestic airport.
What are the existing strengths of the airport that can be leveraged for international
operations?

Existing Structures & Facilities

Google Maps. (n.d.). Google Maps. Retrieved February 7, 2024, from

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cotabato+Airport/@7.1617217
Services of the domestic airport
What are the developments at the airport that can be leveraged for international operations?

Key economic sectors to be enhanced: Three vital fields in Greater Cotabato area, namely 1)
agribusiness and agri-industry including aquaculture;2) regional and international trade and
distribution services; and 3) urban service industry; would contribute to strengthening the economic
development for Greater Cotabato taking into account the advantages of the economic development
corridors in association with transportation nodes of Polloc Seaport (and Timako Port once
completed) and Awang Airport, and each economic competence of the city and municipalities. Also,
tourism and recreational development is a promising sector which is one of the effective industry
sectors not requiring large investments.
International anchoring post (Connectivity): The Greater Cotabato involves two important
international transportation nodes through the Polloc seaport (and Timako Port once completed) and
Awang airport linking with neighboring countries of ASEAN. This strategic position gives
opportunities for promoting economic development through international trade (export and import).
Aside from what was highlighted by the two visions, it is important to add that the development plan
of the study area should have a strong component against the possible onslaught of natural disasters
which frequently hit the study area. Hence infrastructure against natural disaster will become major
component of the plan to secure life and properties in Greater Cotabato. Therefore, development
vision should include the following:

 The Study area shall be well-planned against natural calamities.

 Infrastructure should be strong enough against natural calamities and at the same time,
DRRM (Disaster Risk Reduction and Management) is further strengthen.
Spatial Development Roles of Cotabato City in the Spatial Function
Direction for Greater Spatial Development
Cotabato Area Direction
International anchoring post  Center for Halal Hub
business and industries
 Communication and
exchange network
center

4. Identify any existing partnerships or alliances with airlines, ground handling services,
and other stakeholders that could be advantageous for international expansion.

Organization and Budget of Offices/Agencies Involved in Airport Development

DOTr

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is the executive department of the Philippine Government
responsible for the construction, maintenance and expansion of viable, efficient and dependable
transportation systems as effective instruments for national recovery and economic progress.

CAAP

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is responsible for implementing policies on
civil aviation. It also investigates aviation accidents through its Aircraft Accident Investigation and
Inquiry Board (AAIIB). CAAP is an independent regulatory body attached to DOTr.

Current Development Initiatives

(1) Initiatives of the Local Government Units

Due to the issues discussed above, there are efforts by both the City Government of
Cotabato and BARMM Regional Government to build a new airport situated in a better
location. Currently, there are three (3) sites being considered as shown in Table 5.2-3 and in
the succeeding map.
(2) Initiatives of the National Government

Interviews with the officials of the DOTr and CAAP in Manila were made on 30 September 2020 to
understand if the plan by the LGUs have already reached to both national line agencies for possible
inclusion in their plan. The following were the findings:

 There are currently no development plans in the pipeline for the establishment of a new
airport within the vicinity of Cotabato City. The current focus of the DOTr is the development
of the Central Mindanao Airport in Mlang Municipality [interview from DOTr, Air Transport
Planning Division].
 Current development plans for the existing Awang Airport in Cotabato City includes: a)
Upgrading/expansion of the existing Passenger Terminal Building (PhP 41.1 M), b) Asphalt
overlay of airport runway (PhP 340 M), c) Shoulder grade correction (PhP 161 M), d) Airfield
lighting system [interview from CAAD Head Office, Aerodrome Development and
Management Service].