The question on everyone’s mind: Why hasn’t it happened yet?

The Hard Truth Behind the “International” Label

The simple answer is that international routes require more than just an airport that looks ready — it needs a market that’s ready. Airlines don’t launch international flights just because an airport has the facilities. They study passenger demand, tourism strength, economic activity, and the profitability of routes.

At the moment, Cagayan de Oro and Iligan — while growing rapidly — have yet to reach that level of consistent international demand. To put it bluntly, if airlines were to open international routes today, they would likely be flying half-empty planes. And that’s simply not sustainable business.

What Makes an Airport Internationally Viable

Airlines look for three major things before opening routes abroad:

1. A strong economy – A region that attracts investors and frequent business travel.

2. Tourism appeal – Destinations that make travelers want to visit, stay, and spend.

3. Passenger volume – Enough travelers to fill planes regularly, ensuring profitability.

While Northern Mindanao has promising growth in agriculture, industry, and tourism, it’s still catching up in all three areas. Cagayan de Oro is known as a “gateway city,” but it hasn’t yet evolved into a “must-visit city” like Cebu or Davao. The tourism potential is massive — from Camiguin to Bukidnon’s scenic routes — but it needs better packaging, promotion, and accessibility to attract a steady stream of foreign visitors.

The Role of Aboitiz InfraCapital and the 2024 PPP

The 30-year partnership between the Department of Transportation, CAAP, and Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC) was supposed to be the turning point. The plan was to expand Laguindingan’s capacity from 1.6 million to 3.9 million passengers in Phase 1 and up to 6.3 million in Phase 2.

However, AIC recently confirmed that there are no concrete plans for international flights until at least 2026 — unless airlines themselves decide to launch them earlier. Understandably, this sparked frustration among business groups and local leaders who were expecting faster developments after the turnover.

Why Davao Flies Ahead

Davao City’s success didn’t happen overnight. It took years of economic expansion, international marketing, and airline partnerships. Its connections to Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and even Doha grew from consistent demand driven by tourism, trade, and foreign investments.

Laguindingan can follow that path — but only if Northern Mindanao strengthens its economy and tourism image first. The region must become more than a gateway; it has to be the destination.

The Way Forward

If Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and the rest of Northern Mindanao want to see international flights soon, the region must work together to:

• Boost tourism by promoting must-visit attractions like Dahilayan, Camiguin, and Iligan’s waterfalls as world-class experiences.
• Grow local industries to attract international investors and trade connections.
• Build consistent demand for both inbound and outbound flights through business, leisure, and cultural exchange.

Until then, international airlines will continue to see Laguindingan as a beautiful airport with great potential — but not yet a profitable route.

For now, calling it “Laguindingan International Airport” might sound impressive, but until regular international routes actually take off, the title remains more aspirational than real.

Northern Mindanao’s dream of having true international connectivity isn’t impossible — it just needs time, stronger economic foundations, and a shared vision that turns potential into progress.

Every year, it’s the same heartbreaking scene: homes submerged in floodwaters, families evacuating in the middle of the night, and entire neighborhoods turning into temporary lakes. And every year, we ask the same question — why does this keep happening?  

The truth is, it’s not just because of heavy rains or climate change. The real reason lies in how — and where — we build our communities.

We Built on Nature’s Pathway

Many of the areas that suffer the worst flooding were once natural floodplains — the wide, flat lands beside rivers that are meant to hold excess water when rivers overflow. These spaces serve as nature’s drainage system, absorbing and redirecting floodwaters safely back into the ecosystem.

But over time, these areas have been converted into residential zones and subdivisions. Developers see these flat lands as perfect for housing projects because they’re easier and cheaper to build on. Unfortunately, they’re also the exact places where water is supposed to go when it rains hard.

So when we build homes, roads, and concrete structures there, we’re blocking nature’s natural floodways. The result? Water has nowhere else to go but straight into our homes.

It’s Not About More Flood Control Projects

Every time massive floods hit, the common solution proposed is to build more flood control projects — higher dikes, deeper canals, or bigger drainage systems. While these might help temporarily, they don’t address the root cause.  

We don’t need to “control” nature — we need to respect it. Floodplains and waterways exist for a reason. They’re part of an ecological system that’s been functioning long before we built cities and subdivisions. What we really need are stricter land-use policies and genuine enforcement of no-build zones.

The Role of Urban Planning and Policy

In many developed countries, floodplain zoning is strictly implemented. Areas prone to flooding are reserved for parks, forests, or agriculture — not for housing. These zones absorb water naturally, preventing floods from reaching populated areas.

In the Philippines, however, weak enforcement and profit-driven development have led to the opposite. Some local governments continue to issue permits for construction even in high-risk areas, and homeowners are often unaware that their dream house sits on a floodplain.

A Change in Mindset

We can’t keep blaming the rain. It’s time we take accountability for how we treat our environment and how we plan our communities. We need to stop building where water naturally flows and start designing cities that coexist with nature instead of fighting against it.

Floods aren’t just natural disasters — they’re also man-made consequences of poor planning.  

If we truly want a safer, flood-resilient Philippines, the answer isn’t more concrete or bigger drainage systems — it’s discipline, awareness, and respect for nature’s boundaries.

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In short: Floods will always find their way — the question is whether we’ll still be standing in their path.

Cagayan de Oro's ambitious 'The New City' in Barangay Lumbia is making progress! This 60-hectare mixed-use township project is central to the City Government's strategy to generate substantial revenue and provide comprehensive urban development.

Photo from: Northern Mindanao ETC

As of October 2025, the latest aerial progress shows Phase 1 land development has officially commenced, spearheaded by the Department of Housing Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD).

🏗️ What is Planned for 'The New City'?

Envisioned for completion in four phases, this large-scale project aims to create a fully integrated, self-sustaining community, featuring:

• Residential Communities: Including the flagship Klarexville 7 City Heights Village—a cluster of 5-storey residential buildings under the national Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program.
• Commercial Hubs and Establishments
• A Convention Center and Hotel & Resort
• Low- to Mid-Rise Condominium Developments
• Essential Social and Public Facilities for health services, basic education, and social welfare.

This builds on the groundwork from last year, which focused on the Klarexville 1 socialized condo project to address the city's significant 30,000-unit housing backlog for the poor, a crucial initiative led by the City Housing Urban Development Department (CHUDD).

⚠️ A Critical Look: Learning from Global 'Ghost Cities'

While 'The New City' holds immense promise for CDO, large-scale, pre-planned urban developments worldwide serve as cautionary tales that must be considered.

Projects like Malaysia's Forest City (built near Singapore) and several of China's New Cities have struggled with low occupancy, earning them the label "ghost cities." Their issues stem largely from:

• Over-reliance on Speculative Investment: In China, many properties were bought as financial assets rather than homes, leading to high vacancy rates.
• Location and Economic Base: Forest City, despite its massive $100 billion investment, currently only houses around 20,000 residents out of a planned 700,000 (less than 3% occupancy as of early 2025). Its remote location and failure to attract the diverse businesses needed to support a large population were key factors in its lack of success.
• Building Ahead of Demand: Some Chinese New Cities were built fully before the population arrived, assuming rapid migration and growth that never materialized.

For CDO's 'The New City' to thrive, careful planning must ensure the township is not just built, but actively made attractive and viable for residents. This means prioritizing the development of job opportunities, accessible public transportation links to the main city, and a strong local economy alongside the housing units. The focus on socialized housing like Klarexville is a positive step toward meeting genuine, existing demand.

What are your thoughts on 'The New City' project? What is the most important feature that will make it a truly successful, living city?

To see the cautionary tale of one of these developments, check out this video: Every FAILED Megacity Project Explained in 9 Minutes. This video provides a detailed breakdown of ambitious megacity projects, including Malaysia's Forest City, that ultimately failed to attract a population.

CDO 2030: A Vision of What We Could Be

Imagine a Cagayan de Oro where traffic is no longer a daily battle but a system of order and efficiency. A city with walkable streets, accessible bike lanes, reliable mass transit, and disciplined public transportation systems that prioritize safety and efficiency over competition for passengers. Picture a downtown redesigned for people, not just vehicles—where sidewalks are wide, trees provide shade, and pedestrian crossings are respected without question.

By 2030, CDO can be a hub of sustainable development powered by digital innovation, eco-sensitive infrastructure, smart flood management, decentralized economic zones, and a culture of citizen involvement in governance. A city where growth is intentional, inclusive, and future-proof.

But visions like these require more than inspiration. They require political courage.

The Trap of Short-Term Politics vs. The Demand for Sustainable Governance

For too long, leadership in CDO—and the country at large—has been shaped by short-term thinking. Road projects are done for ribbon-cuttings, not long-term urban balance. Social programs are designed to please, not empower. Decisions are made based on election cycles, not generational impact.

This is what happens when leaders think like candidates, not stewards of progress.

Sustainable governance means prioritizing what is right over what is popular. It means designing systems that may not be fully appreciated within a single term but will transform the lives of generations to come. It means accepting that real progress is often inconvenient, and sometimes uncomfortable.

The Awakening: CDO Citizens Must Demand More

Real change does not start in City Hall alone—it begins in the minds of citizens. We must break free from the habit of electing leaders based on charisma, gifts, entertainment, or familiar surnames. We must reject politics that reduces governance to performances and patronage.

The true test for future leaders should be this:
Will you make the difficult choices today so that CDO becomes a better place tomorrow?

CDO residents must hold leaders accountable not just for what they promise—but for how they think, how they plan, and whether their decisions are rooted in long-term development or personal gain. Silence is complicity; apathy is surrender. If we continue to accept mediocrity, we endorse stagnation.

A Rallying Call: Beyond Elections, Toward a Legacy of Progress

The next chapter of Cagayan de Oro should not be written by those clinging to power—it must be led by those willing to use power to build a future that outlives them.

We need a leader who:

• Thinks in decades, not in terms.

• Seeks impact, not applause.

• Builds systems, not slogans.

• Listens to experts, not merely to political advisers.

• Walks with the people, not ahead of them for photo ops.

• Believes that progress is not a campaign promise—but a duty.

CDO is ready to evolve. The question is—will our leaders rise with us? And more importantly—will we, the people, demand a future that is not controlled by political ambition but shaped by collective purpose?

Because Cagayan de Oro does not just need a leader.

It needs a visionary, a reformist, a steward of discipline, and a believer in a city that can be greater than what politics has allowed it to become.

The time to choose that future is now.

To address the problem effectively, it is important to first understand its root causes.

Root Causes of Traffic Congestion in Cagayan de Oro

Narrow Roads Not Designed for Current Volume

One of the root causes of Cagayan de Oro’s worsening congestion lies in its outdated road infrastructure. Many of the city’s primary routes were built decades ago, during a time when population density was lower, car ownership was less common, and urban activity was more centralized and modest. As a result, key downtown streets such as Osmeña, Capistrano, JR Borja, Tiano, and even portions of Velez and Pabayo remain narrow and limited in capacity.

These roads were originally designed for lighter vehicle flow—accommodating jeepneys, a handful of private cars, and fewer delivery trucks. Today, however, they are forced to handle an overwhelming mix of private vehicles, taxis, motorcycles, motorelas, public utility jeepneys, delivery trucks, ride-hailing services, and even e-bikes and e-tricycles. This creates constant bottlenecks, especially during peak hours.

The narrow width of these streets leaves little room for traffic maneuvering and no flexibility for emergencies or sudden stops. Even a single illegally parked vehicle or a stalled jeepney can disrupt the entire traffic lane, causing a ripple effect of delays that extends several blocks. Worse, many of these streets do not have designated loading and unloading zones, forcing public transport vehicles to stop anywhere, further choking limited road space.

As CDO continues to expand economically and demographically, these outdated roads struggle to support the current volume of vehicles—leading to daily gridlocks, slow traffic movement, and longer travel times for both commuters and motorists. Without strategic widening, re-zoning, or rerouting measures, these roads will continue to cripple urban mobility and limit the city’s potential for sustainable growth.

Improper Parking and Road Obstructions

Another major contributor to traffic congestion in Cagayan de Oro is the widespread issue of improper parking and road obstructions. In many key areas—particularly in commercial zones and densely populated barangays—vehicles are often parked on both sides of the road, leaving little to no space for vehicles to move comfortably.

Double parking has become a habitual practice, especially among private car owners waiting for passengers and delivery vehicles unloading goods. Public utility vehicles like jeepneys and motorelas also commonly stop anywhere along the road to pick up or drop off passengers, even when no designated loading or unloading zones exist. This leads to abrupt stops that disrupt traffic flow and create sudden chokepoints.

In highly congested streets such as those around Cogon Market, Divisoria, and parts of Agora, the combination of parked vehicles, loading public transport, and illegally stationed motorcycles can reduce a two-lane road into a single usable lane. When this happens, vehicles are forced to queue behind one another, resulting in long slow-moving lines that can extend far beyond the immediate area of obstruction.

What makes the problem more severe is the lack of strict enforcement. Even when “No Parking” or “Tow-Away Zone” signs are visibly placed, many drivers continue to violate the rules, confident that penalties are either rare or inconsistently applied. This culture of leniency encourages repeat offenses and reinforces the mindset that road rules are optional.

These obstructions not only slow down vehicular traffic but also pose hazards to pedestrians, who are sometimes forced to walk on the road due to vehicles encroaching on sidewalks. The cumulative effect is a chaotic streetscape where vehicle movement becomes inefficient, road safety is compromised, and travel time increases significantly for everyone.

Inefficient Public Transportation System

Cagayan de Oro’s public transportation landscape remains largely traditional and highly fragmented. The city still heavily depends on jeepneys, taxis, motorelas, and even unregulated vehicles such as colorum vans and habal-habal (motorcycle taxis) in certain areas. While these modes of transport are familiar and accessible to commuters, they operate without a synchronized or systematized flow, resulting in significant traffic inefficiencies.

Most jeepneys and motorelas lack fixed schedules or dispatching intervals, often departing only when they have enough passengers. This leads to vehicles lingering along major roads or terminals, contributing to road congestion. Moreover, rather than adhering to designated stops, drivers frequently load and unload passengers anywhere along the route, including intersections, non-loading zones, and narrow road sections. These sudden and often unpredictable stops cause abrupt traffic slowdowns and force other vehicles to maneuver dangerously around them.

Competition for passengers is another root issue. Jeepney and motorela drivers often engage in aggressive or erratic driving to reach waiting commuters first. This leads to swerving, unnecessary overtaking, and counterflowing—behaviors that disrupt traffic rhythm and increase the risk of accidents.

Taxis, while somewhat more structured, also contribute to congestion when they stop in inappropriate areas to drop off or pick up passengers. In busy commercial zones like Divisoria, Corrales, Cogon, Carmen Market, and Agora, multiple taxis, jeepneys, and motorelas stopping simultaneously can paralyze traffic in a matter of minutes.

Without a modernized, route-based system that prioritizes efficiency, discipline, and reliability, public transportation in CDO functions more as a disorganized collection of vehicles than an integrated urban mobility network. The absence of centralized dispatching, digital tracking, fixed drop-off and pick-up points, and performance-based regulation continues to create daily disorder on the road.

As long as public transportation operates on a “first-come, first-catch” passenger model rather than a structured transit system focused on flow and timeliness, traffic congestion will remain an everyday reality in the city.

Lack of Discipline Among Drivers

A significant factor worsening CDO’s traffic situation is the widespread lack of driving discipline among many motorists. Common violations include beating red lights, counterflowing in congested areas, ignoring pedestrian crossings, performing sudden U-turns without warning, and swerving or changing lanes without signaling. These undisciplined actions disrupt traffic flow and create unnecessary road tension. When drivers refuse to follow basic traffic etiquette, it leads to sudden braking, chain-reaction delays, and road rage incidents. More importantly, such reckless behavior increases the likelihood of accidents, which in turn cause longer traffic standstills and further inconvenience for commuters.

Weak Enforcement of Traffic Rules

Traffic rules are only as effective as their enforcement—and in CDO, implementation often falls short. Despite the presence of signages such as “No Parking,” “No Loading/Unloading,” or “No Counterflow,” these rules are frequently disregarded because violators know that monitoring is sporadic. Inconsistency in apprehending offenders creates the impression that breaking traffic laws has little to no consequence. This weak enforcement emboldens drivers to repeat violations or even escalate them, contributing to a culture where rules are seen as flexible suggestions rather than mandatory safety measures.

Insufficient Accountability from Traffic Enforcers

While traffic enforcers are deployed in several key traffic zones, their enforcement is not always consistent, firm, or fair. Some drivers are flagged down and sanctioned, while others committing similar violations are allowed to pass—sometimes due to familiarity, selective enforcement, or the absence of proper monitoring and reporting systems. This inconsistent accountability undermines public trust and weakens the integrity of the traffic management system. When enforcers fail to impose penalties consistently, they inadvertently signal that certain violations are tolerable, further normalizing non-compliance among drivers.

Effective Solutions to Reduce Traffic and Improve Walkability

To create a less congested and more people-friendly Cagayan de Oro, the city needs to shift from car-dependent urban planning to sustainable and inclusive mobility systems. Below are strategic solutions that can help:

Improve and Modernize Public Transportation

• Develop an organized system such as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) or modernized jeepney routes.
• Allocate dedicated lanes for public transportation.
• Implement digital dispatching and route monitoring systems.

Enforce Strict No-Parking Zones and Clear Sidewalks

• Establish tow-away zones in high-congestion areas.
• Provide off-street and multi-level parking facilities.
• Protect sidewalks from being used as parking or vending spaces.

Enhance Walkability and Cycling Infrastructure

• Construct wider, safer, and shaded pedestrian walkways.
• Install pedestrian crossings with proper signals.
• Develop protected bike lanes and secure bicycle parking stations.

Promote Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)

• Build mixed-use developments near major transport hubs.
• Ensure residents can work, shop, and access essential services without needing long commutes.

Introduce Car-Free and Pedestrian Priority Zones

• Designate parts of the downtown area (such as Divisoria during weekends) as pedestrian-only zones.
• Promote local businesses and community events in these spaces.

Implement Traffic Demand Management

• Increase penalties for frequent violators.
• Introduce number-coding schemes or congestion pricing in high-traffic zones.
• Encourage carpooling and high-occupancy vehicle practices.

Adopt Smart Traffic Management Systems

• Use adaptive traffic lights that respond to real-time road conditions.
• Install electronic signage for route guidance and congestion updates.

Strengthen Enforcement and Promote Road Discipline

• Provide consistent training for traffic enforcers to ensure fair and firm implementation of rules.
• Utilize CCTV and digital monitoring for accurate violation detection.
• Conduct public awareness campaigns promoting responsible driving and pedestrian safety.

Toward a Sustainable, People-Centered CDO

Cagayan de Oro’s rapid development should be matched with equally progressive urban mobility solutions. A traffic-free city is not built simply by widening roads or blaming drivers, but by reimagining a system where walking, cycling, and efficient public transportation are viable, easy, and safe.

A truly progressive CDO is one where transportation is accessible, movement is efficient, and the streets are designed not just for vehicles—but for people.

With proper planning, strong political will, strict enforcement, and community cooperation, Cagayan de Oro can transform from a congested city into a model of smart, walkable urban living in Mindanao. 

The Root of the Problem

According to local reports and community observations, the main causes of this garbage backlog include:

• Lack of garbage trucks and manpower. With the city’s rapid growth, the current waste collection system is struggling to keep up with increasing demand.
• Road congestion at the dumping site. Garbage trucks get stuck in long queues due to narrow, uncemented, and muddy roads, especially during rainy days.
• Poor waste management coordination. Inconsistent collection schedules and lack of clear communication leave residents uncertain when their trash will be picked up.

The result? Weeks’ worth of garbage left uncollected — leading to foul odors, clogged drainage, and a risk of disease outbreaks.

The Need for Better Waste Solutions

Cagayan de Oro deserves a cleaner, more efficient waste management system. Here are possible solutions that the city government and community can explore:

1. Upgrade Equipment and Infrastructure.
   Invest in more garbage trucks and rehabilitate the road leading to the landfill. Cementing and widening the access road will reduce congestion and speed up collection cycles.

2. Decentralize Waste Processing.
   Create satellite collection hubs or mini transfer stations in strategic areas to lessen travel time to the main dumpsite.

3. Promote Waste Segregation at Source.
   Encourage every household and business to separate biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and recyclable waste. This reduces the volume of garbage sent to landfills and makes recycling easier.

4. Community Recycling Programs.
   Support or create Barangay-level recycling and composting projects. Simple initiatives like compost pits, “eco-bricks,” and collection of recyclables can make a huge difference.

5. Public-Private Partnerships.
   Encourage collaboration with local businesses and environmental organizations to sponsor waste bins, collection vehicles, or awareness campaigns.

6. Enforce Accountability.
   The city needs stronger policies to penalize illegal dumping, littering, and non-segregation, while rewarding those who follow sustainable practices.

The Role of the Community

While it’s true that city leaders must take responsibility, Kagay-anons must also step up. Change begins in our own homes. We can reduce waste by minimizing plastics, reusing materials, and teaching kids about cleanliness and discipline.

Let’s turn frustration into action. Organize barangay clean-ups, educate neighbors about proper waste disposal, and hold our leaders accountable — not through blame alone, but through participation and collaboration.

Because at the end of the day, this city is ours. If we want to see a cleaner, greener, and more livable Cagayan de Oro, we must all take part — not just in complaining about the garbage, but in being part of the solution.

Let’s make cleanliness a culture, not a campaign. The future of our city depends on how we take care of it today.

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