In 2012, the former Congressman now Governor Hermilando Mandanas created a bill for Fernando Air Base in Lipa to be utilized for both military and commercial purposes. It was in 2nd reading that time but had no further updates. Then last year, Pinoy Gumising Ka Movement (PGKM) was pushing to scrap Sangley Point project in Cavite and develop Clark and Lipa airports instead to decongest traffic in Manila.
This year in 17th Congress, Representative Raneo Abu of Batangas City introduced House Bill 469 to include Fernando Air Base in Lipa City in the conversion of military reservations into other productive uses to decongest Metro Manila and to hasten economic development in CALABARZON. It can be recalled that Rep Abu was a former executive assistant of Gov Mandanas before the former Gov Vilma Santos-Recto (now Congresswoman) seated in 2007 until he became Representative of Batangas 2nd district in 2013 replacing Mandanas.
It seems that our current Governor is serious in lifting Batangas into an economic powerhouse by having a passenger airport in Lipa City other than the existing Batangas seaport. If this will push through, Lipa will be anticipating major economic advancement that will require traffic, facilities, roads and infrastructure improvements & developments as early as now. Just like any developments it will always come with pros and cons but regardless if it will put into reality or not, Lipa City should bring its physical and organizational structure into next level.
photo: from PAF website
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