TAWI-TAWI RUNWAY DRAWS IN BUSINESS, TOURISTS – A 77-seat commercial aircraft prepares to take off from the Sanga-Sanga (Bongao) airport runway. The runway was recently improved and extended from 1,608 meters to 1,920 meters, and widened from 18 to 30 meters, as part of an airport infrastructure partnership project involving the Department of Transportation and Communications, the Tawi-Tawi provincial government, and the United States government, through USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program. The upgraded concrete runway, has drawn the interest of air carriers, as well as investors and domestic tourists. The GEM Program is implemented under the oversight of the Mindanao Development Authority. ( Photo by USAID-GEM )

By USAID-GEM

More travelers are visiting this province for business and leisure, helping to transform the local economy, after the airport’s main runway was upgraded through a U.S.-Philippines partnership.

“It’s now quite easy for business partners from Manila and Cebu to fly in and look into investment prospects,” said Nazrullah Masahud, vice president of the chamber of commerce and industry.

“The runway has had a huge effect,” said Rolando Lim, owner of the Beachside Resort and a former chamber president. “I know of at least two other beachfront hotels now being built in Bongao,”

The airport runway upgrade, which was built under a partnership between the Philippine and U.S. governments, was implemented by the Department of Transportation and Communications, the provincial government of Tawi-Tawi, and USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program, under the oversight of the Mindanao Development Authority.

The Tawi-Tawi runway was extended by the GEM Program from 1,608 to 1,920 meters, and widened from 18 to 30 meters. It is now an all-concrete runway.

The improvements, which enabled the airport to accommodate larger-bodied aircraft such as Boeing 737s and Airbus 320s, quickly drew the interest of commercial airlines which had heretofore provided only sporadic service using small airplanes.

Last September, Airphil Express began flying a 77-seater along the Zamboanga-Bongao route, with connecting flights to Manila and Davao.

The airline now plies the route daily, with additional flights scheduled for this coming May.

Previously, travelers had no option but to endure a seventeen-hour ferry ride to and from Zamboanga.

“There’s a very good load factor on each flight, showing strong demand.” said Captain Patrick Roa, Airphil Express’ chief pilot for safety and security.

“I would say that most flights are at least eighty percent full,” said Lim.

The chamber of commerce and the provincial government worked with the airline and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), to expedite the establishment of the new flights last year.

Most of the current air travelers to Bongao are businesspeople, Roa said. He pointed out that the cargo load per round trip had grown, particularly in terms of perishable products, including food items.

The regular air service also provides Tawi-Tawi residents with better access to government, medical and banking services on the Mindanao mainland.

“Tawi-Tawi is grateful for the generosity of the American people, which helped put this infrastructure in place,” said Governor Sadikul Sahali. “We’re looking forward to more investment coming into the seaweed and mariculture industries as a result, particularly since we have a multi-species hatchery.”

The recent influx of visitors includes domestic tourists eager to explore the province’s postcard-perfect beaches and dive sites.

“A group of Fil-Ams was here recently for an underwater wedding, which was performed by an imam,” said Lim.

Masahud said that one resort’s monthly electric utility bill had quadrupled since the flights were established, indicative of a high occupancy rate.

“These visitors become our goodwill ambassadors,” said Governor Sahali. “After their trip to Tawi-Tawi, they spread the word about how beautiful and peaceful it is here.”

USAID-GEM has helped to reduce Tawi-Tawi Province’s remoteness and to enhance its capacity for economic growth, through barangay infrastructure projects—such as boat landings, footbridges, seaweed solar dryers, and drainage and water supply construction projects—and larger infrastructure projects such as the runway upgrade.

Another transformational project is the ongoing bridge-road project linking the two main islands of Tawi-Tawi, through a partnership involving the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the provincial government, and USAID-GEM.

The Tawi-Tawi chamber has worked with GEM on several projects designed to accelerate economic activity, such as the streamlining of business licensing procedures.

“We owe a lot to USAID-GEM,” said Lim. “Without it, we wouldn’t have this degree of development. We hope it continues, because it would be a pity if Tawi-Tawi loses the momentum it now has.”

Governor Sahali said the provincial government was now working with the departments of tourism and environment and natural resources to further develop the province as an eco-tourism destination.

“We have 300 beautiful islands with white sand here,” said the governor. “And now, we even get the Manila newspapers flown in daily.”