The Philippines will rise as a leading regional player in the aviation sector by 2028, fueled by increased investment and private sector involvement in infrastructure, human capital and sustainable development, according to Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista.
“The Philippine aviation industry is on the cusp of a significant transformation,” Bautista said.
Apart from modernizing and upgrading the country’s major airports such as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Bautista cited critical initiatives of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) including the upgrading of the air navigation management system.
He said further upgrades and improvements in communications, navigation, surveillance /air traffic management (CNS ATM) would start next month with help from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Bautista said the Philippines could “finally catch-up on the significant under-investment in airport development over the years.”
The rehabilitation and modernization of airports will lead to increased passenger capacity, while generating employment and tourist arrivals.
“We are in the process of privatizing the operations of selected regional airports as part of the strategy to improve airport operations and maintenance,” Bautista said.
He said the notice of award was issued to Aboitiiz InfraCapital, the original proponent of the Laguindingan Airport PPP project, with signing of the concession agreement scheduled this month.
Bauitista said the Swiss challenge for the Bohol-Panglao airport PPP will end this November. Other unsolicited airport development proposals are those for Iloilo, Kalibo and Puerto Princesa.
Bautista said the agency included in next year’s budget the development, expansion and upgrade of seven airports in Luzon, including Tuguegarao, Bacon, Loakan, Daet, Cauayan, Vigan and Candon.
Meanwhile, four Visayan airports are scheduled for improvement, such as those in Catbalogan, Dumaguete, Kabankalan and Calbayog and airports in Zamboanga, Mati, M’lang, Jolo, Siargao and Tandag in Mindanao.
“We are also closely working with the World Bank – International Finance Corp. as well as with the Asian Development Bank for more PPP projects for next year. These include airports in Davao, Busuanga, Bacolod, Bicol, General Santos, among others,” Bautista said.
Apart from New Dumaguete, other greenfield airports for implementation include the airports in Busuanga, Candon, Masbate, Naga, Catbalogan, Siargao, Bukidnon and Zamboanga.
“We also continue to develop airports in islands and communities such as those in Itbayat, Maasin, Camiguin and Siquijor to improve air transport connectivity,” Bautista said.
He said the budget of all airport projects would reach more than P7.5 billion under the DOTr’s 2024 budget, with at least P12 billion more included in next year’s budget.
“The cost includes a variety of activities from site acquisition to runway expansion and extension to passenger terminal rehabilitation to construction of fire station building and other important airport facilities,” Bautista said.
