Mabantao Airstrip

The closure was driven by economic, environmental, and technological shifts in agriculture. The airstrip's principal function was to support aerial spraying (crop dusting) for the vast banana plantations surrounding it. This practice was largely phased out in the Davao region due to:
1. **Environmental and Health Concerns:** Strong opposition and legal challenges from local communities and environmental groups over the health risks associated with chemical spray drift.
2. **Shift in Technology:** Plantations transitioned to more targeted and less controversial ground-based application methods (e.g., truck-mounted sprayers, cable systems) and, more recently, precision agriculture using drones.
The closure was a result of its primary function becoming obsolete, not a specific accident or military conversion.

The physical infrastructure, including the paved runway, remains largely intact. However, it is no longer used for aviation. Satellite imagery confirms the site has been repurposed for terrestrial logistics supporting the surrounding plantation. The runway now serves as a wide service road for trucks and farm equipment, a staging area for agricultural activities, and a storage space for materials. The site is still an active part of the plantation's ground operations.

Mabantao Airstrip was a vital piece of private infrastructure for the agricultural industry in Davao del Norte, the 'Banana Capital of the Philippines'. It was almost certainly owned or operated by a major agricultural corporation, such as the Tagum Agricultural Development Company (TADECO), to support its extensive plantations. Its primary historical role was as a base for crop-duster aircraft (like the Grumman Ag Cat or Thrush Commander) to conduct aerial spraying of fungicides and pesticides, which was essential for large-scale banana cultivation at the time. It may have also facilitated executive and personnel transport to and from the remote plantation areas.

There are no known official plans or public prospects for reopening Mabantao Airstrip for any form of aviation. The original reason for its existence (large-scale aerial spraying) is no longer practiced, and modern alternatives like drones do not require such a large facility. The region's commercial and cargo aviation needs are adequately met by the nearby Davao International Airport (RPMD). The airstrip's current value as a ground-based logistical asset for the plantation makes its conversion back to an active airfield highly unlikely.